"Land of My Sunset Dreams" float, Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, California

Abstract/Description: Image shows the front and side views of the Palos Verdes Estates float for the Tournament of Roses parade held January 1, 1927. In accordance with the year’s theme, “Songs in Flowers,” the Palos Verdes Estates float illustrated the song “The Land of My Sunset Dreams” by Wendell Hall, and symbolized the marriage of a beautiful young lady, Palos Verdes, to Neptune, the god of the Sea. The main feature of the float was a large univalve shell made to resemble polished abalone, in which Neptune was supposed to have come to the shores of Palos Verdes. Two of Neptune’s mermaid daughters driving seahorses led the float. A replica of La Venta Inn was featured on one side of the float. It also included eight girls representing sports played all-year round in Palos Verdes Estates including tennis, golf, swimming, polo, yachting and horse riding. The float was designed by noted Southern California artist, Ralph Holmes and was decorated with kelp, carnations, roses, heather and English ivy provided by the Palos Verdes Nursery. The float won first prize in its “A-2” class for communities of 20,000 population or less. The second and third place winners were Whittier Chamber of Commerce and the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce, respectively.
Subject(s): Parades--California--Pasadena
Pasadena (Calif.)
1921-1930
Tournament of Roses
Parade floats--California--Palos Verdes Estates
Date Created: 1927-01-01