August 27, 2024 // Franchising.com // SAN DIEGO – Mark your calendars and take a look at The UPS Store®’s mesmerizing float, featuring the theme “Helping Dreams Take Flight,” in the Rose Parade® presented by Honda on January 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. In keeping with the parade’s overall theme of “Best Day Ever,” the float’s concept is designed to encourage all spectators to dream big and not be afraid to take a big leap – and take off.

The float will take viewers back in time 200 million years ago to the age of the dinosaurs. A giant pterosaur will be seen watching his two young pterosaurs take their exciting first flight over Pasadena. Animation and special effects will come to life as the trio flap their wings as they leave their tropical home, complete with steaming volcanoes and active waterfalls. The lush paradise filled with stunning tropical flowers will complete the delightful, inspiring float.

The beauty of the car is enhanced by the story it tells. Just as the mother pterodactyl watches her offspring leave the nest, the UPS Store network witnesses the aspirations of its franchisees, their small business customers and students and helps them take off. The UPS Store Start Small, Grow Big program with Junior Achievement USA provides educational opportunities nationwide to help young people succeed.

The float was designed by Charles Meier and is being built by Artistic Entertainment Services. “Working with The UPS Store for the first time to bring a vision of this scale to life has been a very high-energy experience,” said Craig Bugajski, CEO and President of AES. “As a leading float builder, we love creating impactful moments for brands participating in this parade. We love the message behind this float, the idea of ​​instilling confidence for a bright future in all generations and celebrating those who have encouraged them to ‘fly.'”

SOURCE: The UPS Store

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