Lake Havasu Woman Up Close And Personal With Tournament Of Roses Parade

By Becky Maxedon

There’s nothing quite like sitting on your sofa New Years Day morning, sipping on a mimosa or spicy bloody Mary while watching the beautiful floral displays of the Tournament of Roses Parade floats.

But one Lake Havasu City woman will doubtless be catching her breath and getting ready for a nap.

Jamie Hindley, a local independent health and Medicare insurance agent, is celebrating her 13^th year being a part of the big holiday event.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hindley

When Hindley began her Rose Parade journey 13 years ago, she lived in California (incidentally born in Pasadena – home of the Rose Parade) and operated a flower shop.

“I was at a conference (of florists) and some of the people who were already involved with the parade and who were there suggested I come down and they would put me to work,” she said.

So, in 2010, Hindley did just that.

Hindley explained that people begin as volunteers with the group and over time, work their way up to an intern position.

Hindley took all the courses offered by the American Institute of Floral Designers and in 2013, became a certified floral designer herself.

While she said there are many who remain volunteers, she is now employed by Fiesta Parade Floats as a seasonal Lead Floral Designer.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hindley

She is one of three designers working on this year’s City of Torrance Rose float. She also worked on the city’s float last year. The city has entered a float in more than 65 parades and has won numerous awards.

“Work begins on the design in February-March,” Hindley said.

In Torrance, a group of high school students come together to submit designs, which are then voted upon.

“Then they decide how its going to be designed and how it’s going to move – the mechanics,” she said.

After that is decided, the contractor comes in and lays the plywood on the frame and paints it.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hindley

“Every inch is then covered with something natural. One year there was a Mazda Miata covered in red kidney beans with tires made of seaweed,” she said.

While each step of the process is meticulously handled, one vital volunteer group is made up of members of Girl Scout Troops from the Torrance area.

“The Girl Scouts are a huge volunteer force and some of them come back as volunteers for years,” she said.

“TV doesn’t do it justice when it comes to the dynamic use of the live materials on the floats.”

All the dried materials are applied into November.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hindley

“The fresh flowers are applied at the very end of the actual build,” she said.

“Torrance uses a lot of birds of paradise. That is their city flower. There are also 30,000 to 40,000 roses individually vialed around the deck of the float.”

As the timeclock moves toward the final push, some 20-30 volunteers work in shifts to finish the float.

The flowers will be applied this year Dec. 27, 28, 29 and 30^th.

“Judging takes place on the 31^st.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hindley

“I don’t have my flower shop anymore, so I love this,” she said. Her oldest son has worked with her in the past, but this year, the middle and youngest children will go along to help.

The theme of the Tournament of Roses Parade is “Celebrating the World of Music – The Universal Language.”

The theme of the City of Torrance float is “The Lyrical Call of Nature.”

The Tournament of Roses Parade steps off at 8 a.m. PST, and will air on New Years Day on ABC.