Ann Neilson is mighty proud of her 42-foot-long, 18-foot-high brontosaurus.
Neilson, the president of the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn., said she swelled with pride on Tuesday when the city’s float, “Dino-Soar,” wheeled around the corner onto Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard during the 124th Rose Parade.
“We were a big success,” Neilson said. “Everything was working. The music was playing. The people next to me in the grandstand were excited, saying, ‘I love this float.’”
The Tournament of Roses judges liked the float, as well, giving it the award for best animation. The float features a brontosaurus inspired by pterodactyls to attempt flight. It features 38 moving parts, the most of any entry in the parade.
Early on Tuesday morning, Dwight Crumb, 64, and his son Dustin, 37, of Pasadena, were two of the many float volunteers to give “Dino-Soar” a last check.