Dole’s entry evokes a utopic tropical oasis, with three cascading waterfalls, three camels, two whimsical 12-foot-long peacocks, a tigress and her cubs, and elephants all awakening in mist-draped tropical gardens.
Also included on the float was a live Mandarin tree that is emblematic of Dole’s commitment to packing all-natural fruit, delivering closer to fresh taste, texture, and nutrition. This is what makes Dole the industry leader in developing packaged products that are closer to nature, with fruit that is non-GMO, Gluten Free and BPA free.
A whimsical floral oasis, “Sunrise at the Oasis” celebrates Dole’s environmental commitment with vibrant optimism. Dole’s environmental practices and respect for natural resources are embedded in its corporate culture and highlighted through its operations in the United States and around the world. Three waterfalls, featuring over 1,000 gallons of cascading recycled water highlight this commitment with high pressure misting nozzles creating a gentle fog, adding to the tropical mood.
Sculptured palm trees with lavish cascades of lavender Cattleya and Dendrobium orchids provided a fantasy canopy over lush floral gardens of more than 40,000 hot pink Princess roses. Completing the spirit of the oasis, 16 performers including belly dancers, veil dancers, sword dancers and fire dancers accompanied the float as it made its way down Colorado Boulevard. Also featured throughout the float were fresh fruits, including bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, peaches, strawberries and blueberries that were grown and provided by Dole for use on its float.
Created by Fiesta Parade Floats, “Sunrise at the Oasis” stood 55 feet long, 18 feet wide, over 26 feet tall and weighed in at just over 22 tons, or the weight of 10 elephants. Fiesta Parade Floats also designed and built, with the help of Dole employees, Dole’s previous award-winning entries – 2013 “Dreaming of Paradise,” 2012 “Preserving Paradise” and its 2011 entry “Living Well in Paradise.”
ABOUT DOLE PACKAGED FOODS
Dole Packaged Foods LLC, a subsidiary of Dole International Holdings, is a leader in sourcing, processing, distributing and marketing fruit products and healthy snacks throughout the world. Dole markets a full line of canned, jarred, cup, frozen and dried fruit products and is an innovator in new forms of packaging and processing fruit. For more information please visit www.dole.com.
