Behind The Scenes Of Parade Preparations
(Staff Photo By Herb Nygren Jr.)
Queen Grace Hartley Ramey reigns over the 2007 Texas Rose Festival Queen’s Tea Friday at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. Below, A “Tropicana” rose at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden.
By CINDY MALLETTE
Staff Writer
The Strutters are steering the 2007 Texas Rose Parade in a few new directions.
Strutters President Mark Rosenlieb said the organization took a cue from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and chose to forgo self-propelled floats this year. Instead, the 11 rose-covered creations will be pulled by Toyota Tundra trucks provided by Classic Toyota.
"That's really going to be a big change for us," Rosenlieb said. "It got to be a joke that my year was the year everything changed, especially this year."
The Strutters volunteer throughout the year planning and preparing for the annual Texas Rose Parade. Officers serve seven years, moving up in ranks from starter to president. Rosenlieb said new officers are chosen from volunteers who have shown dedication and an interest in the organization.
Staff Writer
The Strutters are steering the 2007 Texas Rose Parade in a few new directions.
Strutters President Mark Rosenlieb said the organization took a cue from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and chose to forgo self-propelled floats this year. Instead, the 11 rose-covered creations will be pulled by Toyota Tundra trucks provided by Classic Toyota.
"That's really going to be a big change for us," Rosenlieb said. "It got to be a joke that my year was the year everything changed, especially this year."
The Strutters volunteer throughout the year planning and preparing for the annual Texas Rose Parade. Officers serve seven years, moving up in ranks from starter to president. Rosenlieb said new officers are chosen from volunteers who have shown dedication and an interest in the organization.
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Rosenlieb said the president serves as grand marshal and will ride at the head of the parade.
"I'm looking forward to it, because it's been seven years and you get to work your way up and see every aspect of the parade," he said. This year, I actually get to enjoy the seven years of hard work."
Strutters will begin planning for next year's parade on Sunday. Rosenlieb said the annual cost for the production is $80,000, with nearly $75,000 designated for floats. Money comes from individual and corporate sponsorships.
"It's kind of a year-round process," he said. "It just gets busier the closer it gets to parade day."
He said parade attendees can also expect to see more bands this year. Tyler high school bands are in the lineup, as well as the Texas College Band, Tyler Junior College band, several Tyler middle school bands and Whitehouse Junior High band.
"They're a lot of fun and very entertaining. That's probably the largest amount of bands we've had in several years," Rosenlieb said.
The 2007 Strutters roster includes: Mark Rosenlieb, president; Kevin Braughton, executive vice president; Reid Martin, first vice president; Hardy Brunette, second vice president; Christopher I. Jones, third vice president; Richard McKellar, fourth vice president; and Heath Henry, starter.
"I'm looking forward to it, because it's been seven years and you get to work your way up and see every aspect of the parade," he said. This year, I actually get to enjoy the seven years of hard work."
Strutters will begin planning for next year's parade on Sunday. Rosenlieb said the annual cost for the production is $80,000, with nearly $75,000 designated for floats. Money comes from individual and corporate sponsorships.
"It's kind of a year-round process," he said. "It just gets busier the closer it gets to parade day."
He said parade attendees can also expect to see more bands this year. Tyler high school bands are in the lineup, as well as the Texas College Band, Tyler Junior College band, several Tyler middle school bands and Whitehouse Junior High band.
"They're a lot of fun and very entertaining. That's probably the largest amount of bands we've had in several years," Rosenlieb said.
The 2007 Strutters roster includes: Mark Rosenlieb, president; Kevin Braughton, executive vice president; Reid Martin, first vice president; Hardy Brunette, second vice president; Christopher I. Jones, third vice president; Richard McKellar, fourth vice president; and Heath Henry, starter.
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