“Say Cheese” Celebrates Dreams, Friendships, and Memories in Glendale

Glendale’s entry in the 2011 Rose Parade is “Say Cheese,” a depiction of a mouse using a box camera to take pictures of some of life’s important moments, including birth, graduation, and marriage. The float will feature riders in oversized picture frames, creating human tableaus of these scenes. At the front will be a bride and groom on a large wedge of cheese, a playful take on the “say cheese” catch-phrase of photographers.

The theme of the 2011 Rose Parade is “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories.” According to Glendale Rose Float Association President Garry Ackerman, GRFA recommended this design to the city because “It fits perfectly with the theme by celebrating those memorable events of life where dreams come true, friendships are cemented, and memories are created. By including residents of Glendale on the float, we are also drawing attention to the friendships and family relationships that are central to making Glendale such a wonderful place to live.”

“Say Cheese” also is an appropriate float for Glendale because the city was once home to one of the 20^th century’s most-acclaimed art photographers, Edward Weston. Weston was renowned for his sharp and precise images of the human form, shells, vegetables, and landscapes. In 1906, Weston arrived in Tropico, in what is now south Glendale. He was 20 years old and just had his first photograph published. What was supposed to be a two-month visit with his sister became a 20-year off-and-on residence in Tropico/Glendale. After serving a couple of apprenticeships, in 1911 Weston opened his first studio, The Little Studio, on Brand Boulevard in Tropico. It was during his time in Tropico that Weston built an international reputation as one of the finest art photographers of his era.

The float, designed and to be constructed by Phoenix Decorating Company, will be 33 feet long, 22 feet high, and 18 feet wide. It can hold up to 10 riders who will represent the communities of Glendale.