26 August 2024
The UPS Store® Reveals Vibrant 2025 Rose Parade® Float “Helping Dreams Take Flight”
Float design highlights support for empowering youth with Junior Achievement USA® and the entrepreneurial spirit of thousands of The UPS Store franchise owners
SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 26, 2024 – Mark your calendar and catch a glimpse of the captivating float by The UPS Store® themed, “Helping Dreams Take Flight,” in the 136th Rose Parade® presented by Honda on January 1, 2025, in Pasadena, California. Tying into the overall parade theme of ‘Best Day Ever,’ the float concept aims to encourage all viewers to dream big and not be afraid to take a big leap – and soar.
The float will take viewers back in time 200 million years ago, to the Age of the Dinosaurs, and will feature a colossal pterodactyl watching her two young pterodactyls take their exhilarating first flight over Pasadena. State-of-the-art animations and special effects will come alive with the trio flapping their wings as they set off from their tropical homeland, complete with steaming volcanoes and active flowing waterfalls. The lush paradise brimming with stunning tropical florals will round out the delightful, inspiring float.
The beauty of the float is further enhanced by the story it represents. Just as the mother pterodactyl observes her offspring leaving the nest, The UPS Store network witnesses the aspirations of its franchise owners, their small business customers, and school-aged students, supporting them as they take flight. Through a range of programs designed to assist franchisees in launching their businesses, The UPS Store network attracts prospective owners from diverse backgrounds, helping them realize their entrepreneurial dreams. Additionally, The UPS Store Start Small, Grow Big program with Junior Achievement USA provides nationwide educational opportunities for young individuals to help them succeed.
“We are returning to the Rose Parade for the seventh time to showcase a visually immersive float that playfully illustrates how The UPS Store supports our franchisees and the purpose behind our Start Small, Grow Big program” said Sarah Casalan, President of The UPS Store, Inc. “Together with Junior Achievement, our customers and network, we are dedicated to preparing prospective business owners and youth in communities across the nation for their future.”
The float was designed by Charles Meier and is being built by Artistic Entertainment Services. "Working with The UPS Store for the first time to bring such a Jurassic-sized vision to life has been a high-energy experience,” said Craig Bugajski, CEO and president of AES. “As a premiere float builder, we love to create high-impact moments for brands who participate in this iconic parade. We love the message behind this float, the idea of instilling confidence in all generations to cultivate a bright future and celebrating those who encouraged them to ‘fly’.”
Since the Start Small, Grow Big program began in 2022, The UPS Store customers in more than 5,300 locations have donated an impressive total of more than $6 million. These funds support Junior Achievement programming in the communities where they’re collected to equip school-aged children with lessons in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship.
About The UPS Store
With more than 5,300 locations across the U.S., The UPS Store network comprises the nation's largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print, and business service centers. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of United Parcel Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation (although one or more may be company-owned). Services, prices, and hours of operation are subject to change and may vary by location. For additional information about The UPS Store, visit theupsstore.com. Follow The UPS Store on social media at @TheUPSStore, facebook.com/theupsstore, and instagram.com/theupsstore.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® and Rose Parade® presented by Honda
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® is a volunteer organization that hosts America’s New Year Celebration® with the Rose Parade® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential and a variety of accompanying events. The Association’s 935 Members supply more than 80,000 volunteer hours, which will drive the success of the 136th Rose Parade, themed “Best Day Ever!,” on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, followed by the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 111th Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Visit www.tournamentofroses.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and YouTube.
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