New Year's Day, Louisiana will show itself off to the world when it glides its float along the streets of Pasadena, California, for the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade.
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve been working hard getting the float, titled “Gulf to Gumbo,” ready for Thursday morning’s big show.
“We’ve got over a hundred volunteers that came out from Louisiana and helped us put these flowers on the float, over 100,000 flowers that we’ve put on this float,” Nungesser said.
The float features a giant pelican chef stirring a big pot of gumbo. Representatives from several tourism bureaus from around the state will be riding the float – as will Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who says the process of making the float is impressive in itself.
“We’re making this float with crushed oyster shells, rice, and over 100,000 roses, 100,000,” Strain said.
Strain says this year’s float is intended to promote Louisiana’s rich agriculture and seafood industries.
“It starts with seafood from the Gulf. And then when you add in all of our roux, all of our peppers, all of our vegetables and Louisiana rice, all coming together,” Strain explained.
This year’s musical guest aboard Louisiana’s float is American Idol runner-up John Foster.