We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
PLAYBOOK SLUG: Rose Parade Preparations (TV))
HEADLINE: Volunteers Prepare Colorful Floats for Rose Parade
TEASER: American Tradition Resumes after Two-Year Hiatus
PUBLISHED AT: 12/30/2021 at 3:15pm
BYLINE: Mike O’Sullivan
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Los Angeles
VIDEOGRAPHER: Mike O’Sullivan
SCRIPT EDITORS: Bowman
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:21
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TV
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRODUCTION)) [[Volunteers are busy decorating floats for the annual Tournament of Roses parade, an American tradition since 1890. Mike O'Sullivan reports the flower-decked parade entries will brighten the streets of Pasadena, California, in a blaze of color New Year's morning.]]
((NARRATOR))
There will be marching bands and equestrian units, but the highlight of the parade will be flower-decked floats, each carefully prepared by volunteers with blossoms, seeds, bark and other plant matter.
The parade marks the end of a difficult year, and with luck, the start of a brighter one. The parade was canceled last year because of COVID, but with health and safety restrictions in place, it will resume.
((FOR RADIO: Stefan Pollack is a spokesman for Fiesta Floats, which is building six parade floats.))
((Stefan Pollack, Fiesta Floats Spokesman))
“We’re thrilled to be back. Volunteers are coming back and wanting to be together and just to see people and connect with people and reconnect.”
((NARRATOR))
Parade floats are being finished at several sites near Los Angeles, including at this warehouse.
There are entries from cities, states, organizations and businesses. One from Louisiana declares the southern state ready for tourists in 2022.
((NARRATOR))
Another from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation looks to a better future, showing a robotic nurse encouraging people to get the COVID vaccine.
((FOR RADIO: Ged Kenslea ((PR: JED KENS-lay)) is with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which sponsors the entry.))
((Ged Kenslea, AIDS Healthcare Foundation))
“This message is being addressed both to the general public but specifically to world leaders, to pharmaceutical companies that manufacture these lifesaving vaccines.”
((NARRATOR))
Urging a more equitable distribution of vaccines in the developing world.
This year’s parade theme is “Dream, Believe, Achieve,” and it celebrates education. One entry highlights literacy by depicting a rooster, chicks and books, explains a spokeswoman for the sponsor, a chain of franchised shipping centers called the UPS Store.
((FOR RADIO: Spokeswoman Casey Sorrell.))
((Casey Sorrell, The UPS Store))
“We’ve had a partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Foundation since 2008, and since then we’re raised over 44 million dollars for books for children.”
((NARRATOR))
A float called Courage to Hope from the organization Donate Life celebrates those who donate life-saving organs, sometimes from accident victims.
((FOR RADIO: “Mike Thompson is the float supervisor.”))
((Mike Thompson, Donate Life Float Supervisor))
“The people that for the most part are the volunteers decorating this float are people involved in organ donation. Many of them are donor families, that is, they’ve lost a loved one but had the courage, really, to let that loved one’s organ be utilized by somebody else.”
((NARRATOR))
While spreading a message of helping others, these volunteers are bringing color to an American tradition, the Rose Parade. Mike O’Sullivan, VOA News, Los Angeles.
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 30, 2021 15:03 EST
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
