From Farm to Float: Interview with Lyn of Phoenix Decorating Co

Happy New Year to you and your family! Are you getting excited about tomorrow's Rose Parade? I know all of us here at Mayesh are and we thought it would be quite the treat for you to get to know someone who is instrumental in making all of the flower magic happen!

Drew Dahlson sat down with Lyn Lofthouse, the Floral Director of Phoenix Decorating Company to learn more about the history of Phoenix Decorating Company and the role they have played in the Rose Parade since 1985. Learn how Lyn prepares for up to 25 floats including calculating stem counts by measuring every area of each float that is being built along with organizing the flowers and volunteers to keep the process streamlined. 

The evening before the parade, the floats must journey fourteen and a half miles is to the starting line for the parade. The convoy leaves around 6 pm the night before with a police escort and travels at only 3-5 miles per hour and finally arrives at 2 am. Some flowers are lost in transit, like from a tree that needed to be trimmed hanging over the street, but, thankfully, the floats arrive in great shape the majority of the time. 

After the parade has concluded, the floats are available for one to two days before the crews strip the floats, and work to save the vials and hardgoods used for the mechanics. Additionally, Phoenix Decorating works with various groups to harvest the fresher flowers to give to convalescent homes and hospitals for others to continue to enjoy. Press play on the video below to enjoy this exclusive interview with our long-time, uber-talented and creative flower friend, Lyn Lofthouse!

Episode 1: From Farm to Float: The Farms
Episode 2: From Farm to Float: Fast & Furious in Miami
Episode 3: From Farm to Float: Just Add Water
Episode 4: From Farm to Float: Thousands & Thousands