Take pleasure in Illinois float showcases Route 66 sights and can embrace a stay musical efficiency by a cappella group Straight No Chaser to advertise Illinois as a premier journey vacation spot

PASADENA, Calif. – The Illinois Division of Commerce and Financial Alternative, Workplace of Tourism (Take pleasure in Illinois) will return for its second float look on the one hundred and thirty fifth Rose Parade® offered by Honda on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, California, as part of America’s New 12 months Celebration®.
To mirror the Rose Parade’s theme, “Celebrating a World of Music,” Take pleasure in Illinois will highlight the state’s music historical past alongside Route 66 with its float known as, “Illinois: The Center of Beats & Blues,” a nod to the state’s award-winning tourism marketing campaign, “Center of Every little thing.” Parade spectators will expertise a fascinating stay musical efficiency by the hit a cappella group Straight No Chaser delivering a medley from the enduring film filmed in Illinois, “The Blues Brothers.” The float will characteristic a reproduction of a drive-in film scene, showcasing “Joliet” Jake Blues and his brother Elwood, together with a traditional 1950’s automotive.
     “We’re thrilled to showcase Illinois on the 2024 Rose Parade for the second yr in a row and have fun the state’s wealthy music historical past alongside Route 66 with our “Illinois: The Center of Beats & Blues” float,” mentioned Daniel Thomas, Deputy Director of the Illinois Division of Commerce and Financial Alternative, Workplace of Tourism. “From the Route 66 start line in Chicago to Springfield and Collinsville and all of the historic small cities in between, the Mom Highway serves because the crossroads of cultural expression, providing distinctive sights and adventures you may solely expertise in Illinois.”
     The Take pleasure in Illinois float recreates the enduring Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, beginning with Chicago’s Route 66 “Start” signal. The journey by means of the float reveals larger-than-life replicas of the Gemini Big spaceman in Wilmington, the Pink Elephant in Livingston, and the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville – an homage to the quirky roadside sights alongside the historic route. On the entrance of the float, iconic Springfield landmarks, Shea’s Fuel Station and the Route 66 Legends Neon Signal Park Expertise, supply a glimpse into Route 66 landmarks across the state’s capital.
     The 24-foot-tall float took three months to construct with the assistance of practically 22,000 volunteer hours and can characteristic 30,000 flowers. The Take pleasure in Illinois float will incorporate many components to highlight Illinois’ agritourism business, together with pumpkins, corn, soybeans, lavender, sunflowers, prairie grass and blue violets, the state’s official flower.
     “The Match of Roses is thrilled to see Straight No Chaser’s efficiency on the Take pleasure in Illinois float in the course of the 2024 Rose Parade, marking the second consecutive yr of Take pleasure in Illinois’ participation,” mentioned 2024 Match of Roses President Alex Aghajanian. “Straight No Chaser’s a cappella brilliance will grace the float harmonizing with the theme ‘Celebrating a World of Music,’ to showcase Illinois’ wealthy musical heritage. The group’s unforgettable musical expertise will likely be an unbelievable addition to the festivities and produce us all collectively to have fun the colourful spirit of Illinois.”
     “We’re so proud and past excited to be acting on the Take pleasure in Illinois float within the 2024 Rose Parade,” mentioned Straight No Chaser member Randy Stine, who was born and raised in Illinois. “Like so many individuals across the nation, we grew up watching the parade each New 12 months’s Day. What a dream come true it’s to be part of such an iconic occasion.”
     The Take pleasure in Illinois “The Center of Beats & Blues” float will likely be accessible for viewing post-parade on Jan. 1-2, 2024 throughout Float Fest accompanied by a particular look from Take pleasure in Illinois’ mascot, Massive Lincoln. Promotional supplies from the Illinois Workplace of Tourism and Rose Parade will likely be distributed whereas provides final.
     To be taught extra about planning a getaway in Illinois, go to EnjoyIllinois.com and observe @EnjoyIllinois on Fb, Instagram and TikTok.