Roseville Mayor Jim Gray unveiled the closely-guarded design for the city's 2009 Rose Parade entry - a 55 foot-long, floral replica of a 1909 train engine pulling two passenger cars - during his State of the City Address today at the Magic Circle Theater.
The popular parade, held Jan. 1 in Pasadena, will kick-off Roseville's year-long centennial celebration.
Designed by Phoenix Decorating Company, the float will also feature a representation of the Tree of Life petroglyph carved by Nisenan Indians as well as native oak trees, plants and wildlife.
"We wanted to capture the essence of Roseville," Gray said.
The skeletal frame for Roseville's float has already been completed and stands roughly 25 feet high.
Gray and Deputy City Manager Julia Burrows visited Phoenix Decorating Company when the Pasadena-based float builder was working on the city of Los Angeles' entry.
"Ours is bigger," Gray said.
Efforts are underway to raise money to pay for the float and the professional float builder.
Today, Gray also announced corporate sponsors who have committed a total of $105,000, including $50,000 from Union Pacific Railroad and $25,000 from the United Auburn Indian Community.
Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health each gave $15,000.
This will be the first time Roseville has participated in the nationally televised parade, viewed by 38 million people.
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