Washington, D.C. (December 16, 2025) — America250, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, today announced it will participate in the 2025 Rose Parade and Floatfest with a float themed, “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” The float will mark one of America250’s signature moments ushering in 2026 — the nation’s official Semiquincentennial year — and continues America250’s multi-year countdown toward this once-in-a-generation milestone.

America250’s participation in the Rose Parade aligns with its mission to engage 350 million Americans by 2026 (“350 for 250”). The Rose Parade, one of the country’s most iconic and widely viewed celebrations, provides a powerful platform to invite Americans from every corner of the nation to take part in the Semiquincentennial.

“We cannot imagine a more meaningful way to welcome 2026 than by participating in the Rose Parade,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “This float celebrates our shared history, reflects the beauty of our diverse nation, and symbolizes the bright future we are creating together. Participating in the parade is a great example of yet another way America250 is engaging 350 million Americans for this once-in-a-lifetime milestone.”

Float Design

Designed and built by the award-winning team at Fiesta Productions, Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years brings to life the spirit, resilience, and shared aspirations of the American people. The breathtaking design features three majestic, larger-than-life bald eagles each representing the Nation’s past, present, and future crafted from an intricate palette of natural materials. Their white heads finished in white crushed coconut, while sweeping wings shimmer with thousands of mahogany and bronze Ti leaves. Folded leaves and palm fiber add sculptural dimension to their bodies, and talons meticulously adorned with golden beehive ginger petals complete the awe-inspiring avian trio.

Below the soaring eagles, a vivid American landscape unfolds. Granite-textured mountains composed of onion seed, poppy seed, and crushed rice rise above forests of pine and fir, while layered hillsides of bark and moss create depth and movement. A lush botanical panorama, featuring flora from temperate regions across the United States, comes to life through three cascading waterfalls framed by draping foliage.

More than 50,000 Free Spirit roses in radiant sunrise hues, along with Full Moon orchids paired with natural pinecones and Port Orford cedar, frame the float’s deck. Golden oncidium and Mokara orchid trees, set atop dark lichen trunks, add regal brilliance. Waves of grain made from thousands of wheat stems flow across the float, symbolizing the nation’s agricultural roots and enduring abundance. Hundreds of floral groupings in sunrise-inspired tones sweep across the lower deck, evoking the dawn of a new chapter in America’s story.

American composer, critic, writer, teacher, pianist and conductor Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man will be playing on the float during the parade. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as the “Dean of American Music.” The open, slowly changing harmonies in much of his music are typical of what many consider the sound of American music, evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit.