LHM’s Award-Winning Float Made Possible by Dedicated Volunteers

In keeping with its “Never on Sunday” tradition followed since 1893, the 134th Tournament of Roses Parade was held on Monday, January 2, 2023, in Pasadena, California, under the theme of “Turning the Corner.”

The only Christian float in the parade, Lutheran Hour Ministries participated for the 72nd time with a float entry titled, “A New Day with Jesus.” The LHM float, as well as seven others, was decorated by around 4,000 Petal Pushers volunteers who travel from all over the country to gather in Pasadena each December. These volunteers spent eight-hour shifts attaching thousands of roses, carnations, lilies, mums, and other flowers, as well as other natural materials such as seeds, coffee beans, and leaves, to create the majestic beauty and splendor of the floats.

“This is now my fifteenth year participating,” says Karen Kolke of Albuquerque, New Mexico. “It is enjoyable meeting the other volunteers from across the country and developing friendships with them. While we may only see each other once a year, I always look forward to being with my ‘float family’ and hearing their stories.”

“My niece was going to come out and volunteer, so I decided to follow her,” says Nora Wilson from Dallas, Texas. “I’m originally from New Orleans and was interested in seeing how these floats compared with the ones in the Mardi Gras parade. I have loved meeting people from across the country and seeing the tremendous camaraderie among the volunteers.”

Working on a variety of floats allows volunteers to work side by side with people from diverse backgrounds, believers and nonbelievers alike, offering an opportunity to make new friends, network, and share expressions of the faith that gives true meaning to the experience. “It touches my heart to see God touching the lives of people,” says Lisa Perr of Brea, California. “There’s no other stage like this to witness to others and share God’s love with people.” This was Perr’s 45th year volunteering to decorate floats. Starting with volunteering with her youth group, Perr has held several roles leading to her joining the LHM Float Committee.

Paul Wasmund of Denison, Texas, has known about LHM since his parents listened to Dr. Oswald Hoffmann on The Lutheran Hour®. “I’ve talked about doing this for years, so when my brother told me about a Luther Tours group that comes out to decorate floats, I finally decided to do it this year.”

Not only did the LHM float fulfill its mission of providing a Gospel witness to viewers around the world through its float design, music, and Petal Pushers sharing God’s love, this year’s float was honored by parade organizers with the prestigious Director Award. This award recognizes the most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials. The LHM float was chosen for its stained-glass windows (on the church and back of the float), the lambs on the front of the float, and the praying hands depicted on the long sides of the float.

“It’s more important now than ever to share the Gospel and spread the joy and love of Jesus,” says Helena Isbell of Escondido, California, who volunteered with her daughters this year. “I love bonding with my family and helping spread the Word of God through our actions.”

Fran Davis of Carlsbad, California, traveled to Pasadena for her birthday with her kids, Dory Thompson and Robert, with his wife, Rosie. “This is the best birthday I’ve ever had,” said Fran. Dory shared that she “had no idea of the process behind the float decorating. It’s amazing to learn how things are recycled and how it all comes together.”

Lutheran Hour Ministries is humbled with overwhelming gratitude for the thousands of people who came together to share Jesus on an immense scale. We are grateful for the ongoing leadership of Dick and Lynn Gast, the members of the Southern California District of the Lutheran Laymen’s League and the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee, the painstaking volunteer efforts of the Petal Pushers, and everyone who supports this endeavor through financial support and prayers. None of this would be possible without all of you.

The LHM float is a self-funded project of the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee and the Southern California District of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League. The float is not included in LHM’s operating budget. If being a part of the Rose Parade has been on your bucket list, visit petalpushers.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities. u