Richard Koshalek,
Sharon Loving and
Beverly White, and for the first time ever, the public, will choose the 2009 Rose Parade float award winners
PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ — The Tournament of Roses(R) has partnered with KTLA to allow viewers of the 2009 Rose Parade to choose their favorite float and award one of the 46 floral entries as winner of the inaugural Viewers’ Choice Award. For the first time, fans of the Rose Parade will have the option to cast a vote after the Parade, for their personal favorite float of the year. Of the 46 float entries in the 120th Rose Parade themed, Hats Off to Entertainment, 43 will be eligible for judging, and 25 will receive awards in a variety of categories and specifications including the new Viewers’ Choice Award. The traditional task of judging the magnificent floats from a professional perspective will fall to 2009 float judges,
Richard Koshalek,
Sharon Loving and
Beverly White.
On January 1, 2009, Parade fans can visit www.ktla.com/roseparade to cast their vote for the Viewers’ Choice Award. Video of the Rose Parade in its entirety will also be available on the KTLA site for viewers to see the floats again or catch the Parade for the first time if they missed it on television. Voting will take place from 10:00 a.m. (PST) to 6:00 p.m. (PST) on January 1. The winner of the award will be announced at the Post Parade Showcase of Floats, in front of the float, via the KTLA Morning News on January 2.
“The Rose Parade has always been ‘America’s New Year Celebration.’ We are so happy to be able to give America (and the rest of the world) a chance to let us know what float is their favorite. We have wanted to provide this opportunity for Rose Parade fans for a very long time,” said
Laura Farber, chairperson of the Tournament of Roses Judging Committee. “We know that winning float sponsor will be especially honored knowing that this award was chosen by the people.”
The judges’ scores for the remaining 24 awards are based on criteria such as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact. Rose Parade Judges Koshalek, Loving and White were appointed by the Tournament’s Judging Committee.
About the 2009 Rose Parade Float Judges
Richard Koshalek’s career includes nearly four decades of experience and leadership in architecture, art and design. He most recently presided as the fourth president of Art Center College in Pasadena, where his work positioned the College at the center of national and global dialogue in design and visual communications. Prior to Art Center, Koshalek served as Director of The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles. During his 19-year tenure there, Koshalek helped to establish MOCA as an internationally recognized museum with a notable permanent collection and two magnificent buildings. He has also previously served as Director of the Fort Worth Museum in Texas, Assistant Director of the National Endowment for the Arts Visual Arts Program, and Chairman of the Architectural Selection Subcommittee for the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Koshalek’s success internationally includes his participation in the committee to select an architect for the new
Tate Gallery of Modern Art in London and as an Architecture Juror for Italy’s Venice Biennale in 2002.
As the Horticulture Department Head at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania,
Sharon Loving leads a staff of more than seventy employees who are responsible for producing and maintaining the world-renowned horticultural displays and landscapes on Longwood’s 1,050 acres. Loving’s responsibilities at Longwood range from land stewardship to capital improvement projects to the development of annually changing themes for seasonal displays and exhibits. Loving obtained both her Associated Degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Greenhouse Management and later her B.S. in Management Studies from the University of Maryland. Prior to joining Longwood in 1984, Loving held both wholesale and retail horticultural positions in greenhouse production, sales, floral design and florist shop management. She also has taught Continuing Education and Professional Gardener courses, served as a public spokesperson on nationally syndicated television programs, and participated in several study garden tours of Europe.
Since 1992,
Beverly White has worked as a reporter and anchor for NBC 4 in Los Angeles, where she has covered various significant stories including El Nino, Southern California wildfires, Santa Ana winds, and the Northridge earthquake. White’s successful career in broadcasting began in her home state of Texas, where she received her degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. From there, she reported in Waco and San Antonio, Cincinnati, and Miami. White has been praised for her coverage of notable events and happenings, including the rise and fall of baseball legend
Pete Rose, the 1988 presidential nominating conventions and the military coup in Haiti. In 1992, White was on the Peabody Award-winning team that covered Hurricane Andrew. Throughout her career, White has shared her time and talent by spending her days visiting public schools, civic groups and community events to communicate the importance of local news and inspire others to pursue broadcast journalism careers. She is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists and has taught at both Citrus College in Glendora and the University of Southern California.
The 120th Rose Parade themed Hats Off to Entertainment will take place Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands showcasing the best in entertainment. Following the Rose Parade, the 95th Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi will feature an exciting match-up between two championship teams, once again showcasing the best of collegiate football. The ABC broadcast of the Game will begin at 2 p.m. (PST). For additional information on Tournament of Roses, please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.
CONTACT:
PASADENA TOURNAMENT HILL AND KNOWLTON, INC.
OF ROSES ASSOCIATION Carolyn Hamamchian or David Gordon
Caryn Eaves or Vanessa Flores (949) 223-2301
(626) 449-4100
SOURCE Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association
