And the beat goes on for the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee, which continues to reap recognition in wake of its award-winning entry in the 2024 Rose Parade to kick off the new year.
On a roll, for the third consecutive year the city has received a high honor, this time for its “Boogie Fever” float, which featured a group of animals playing musical instruments after placing the lively sounds of the Sylvers’ 1970s song of the same name of South Pasadena’s entry, on a turntable that has fallen into the rain forest from a cargo plane.
The recognition is even more impressive when considering since 2019, the city has won an award every year, with the exception of 2021 when the parade was cancelled on account of COVID.
As part of its January 17 meeting, South Pasadena Mayor Evelyn Zneimer and members of the council congratulated the committee’s all-volunteer effort and presented the organization’s president Ed Donnelly with a proclamation reading, in part: “Thank you for your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment that have contributed significantly to the success of our float, bringing joy and inspiration for all. We are grateful for all your efforts in continuing to represent our City with these achievements.”
Zneimer and the council also paid tribute to the Sylvers family for giving permission to use their lively song “Boogie Fever” on board the float as it moved down the 5 ½ -mile parade route.
“Your artistic contributions added a harmonious and captivating element to our float, enriching the experience for everyone,” read the certificate of appreciation presented to Leon Sylvers III, Foster Sylvers, Angelia Sylvers, Charmaine Sylvers, and Cy Sylvers.
“We are extremely appreciative to the family for allowing the use of the iconic song “Boogie Fever” which brought excitement and joy to the float and parade,” added Pautsch. “Their contribution was huge.”
The group donated the use of the song to the city at no charge “and we are extremely grateful and proud that we could use your song,” Pautsch said. “The song is going to live after us. It’s an amazing song.
Serving as the liaison to the float committee for the City of South Pasadena, paying tribute to the committee, was Sheila Pautsch, who proudly told the council and audience members, that “South Pasadena has the oldest self-built float in the parade,” meaning every minute of work on the float is the result of volunteers giving up their time as opposed to larger entries that are commercially constructed with business backing.
“The committee is a group of volunteers who fundraise, plan, design, build, decorate, and drive the float down Colorado Blvd. every year during the Rose Parade,” she noted. “The committee represents South Pasadena with these accomplishments.”
In recent years, pointed out Pautsch, South Pasadena has earned:
- 2024 Founder Award for Boogie Fever – “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language.”
- 2023 Bob Hope Humor Award for “Spark of Imagination -Turning the Corner.”
- 2022 Founder Award for Sky’s the Limit – “Dream. Believe. Achieve.”
- 2021 canceled due to COVID
- 2020 Mayor Award for Victory at Last – “The Power of Hope.”
- 2019 Mayor Award for Three Little Birds – “Melody of Life.”
“Thank you for your dedication and tireless work in creating award-winning floats year after year,” said Pautsch, who ask a large group of float contributors to come forward and receive the acknowledgment from the city.
She then handed Donnelly the certificate of appreciation, who offered: “The only thing I need to say is thank you,” he said, passing along his gratitude to those who collectively contributed thousands of hours over the past year in making the winning float possible.
And acknowledging, with big help from the Sylvers this year, that the beat goes on – a good one at that – as South Pasadena has won an award for its fifth straight entry in the highly watched and anticipated parade, garnering worldwide attention.
Reminder: SPTOR is now accepting entries for the 2025 float. The theme of the 2025 Rose Parade is “Best Day Ever!”
