Rose Parade 2006 Order (1-25)

The Danvers High School Falcon Marching Band made its first Rose Parade appearance four years ago. Since then, invitations to perform have come from Hawaii for the 65th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and from China to play for the opening of an international sporting event.

The Falcon Marching Band is considered to be one of the fastest growing band programs in Massachusetts. In 1996, the band won its first grand championship in Orlando, Fla., with just 52 members. In 1997, the band performed in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of President Clinton. Since then the band has grown to its present 182 members and has performed under the direction of Ronald A. Parsons in parades around the country.

Trader Joe's (#10)
Float Theme: Adventure!

Adventure—in this case a magical adventure ship—is offered by Trader Joe's to spice up the lives of parade viewers. This huge ship plows through a rolling sea as cannons fire and brigands scamper along the deck and through the rigging, preparing to face all that may confront them. Mythical creatures guide the vessel with a capable Captain as guide and a raucously friendly crew by his side.

The huge ship rocks forward and back, lifting high in attacking the rolling sea; cannons on both sides of the ship extend and retract as they fire and smoke in response to attackers.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament (#11)

Medieval Times is one of the largest single owners of Andalusian horses in North America. It operates the Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Tex., home to more than 130 Andalusian horses and the company's Andalusian breeding program. This is Medieval Times' 19th consecutive Rose Parade appearance. Riders wear authentic medieval-period costumes and carry authentic Spanish swords. The horses wear color-coded, medieval-period costumes that signify the strong relationship between rider and horse.

The Andalusian horse, known as the "horse of kings," is one of the oldest pure breeds of horse in the world. It was the first horse brought to the Americas by the Conquistadors. The Andalusian has a proud but docile temperament, is sensitive and intelligent, responsive and cooperative, and learns quickly and easily when treated with care and respect.

Marshal: David Hilliard

China Airlines (#12)
Float Theme: Ilha Formosa, Beautiful Island – Magical Taiwan

Every year China Airlines creates a cultural float featuring the beauty of Taiwan. This float depicts lovely animated butterflies surrounded by sculpted cymbidium orchids. The front of the float features two Formosan (island) blue magpie birds decorated with blue statice, buffalo grass and orange lanterns. The float is accompanied by a sound track from Taiwan, the "Plum Blossom." Float riders include the designer, Raul Rodriguez, his parrot, Sebastian, and six China Airlines flight attendants from Taipei.

China Airlines first participated in the Rose Parade in 1987 and has won 14 prizes in this prestigious event, including last year's International Trophy for most beautiful entry outside the continental United States.

Band: Ben Davis Marching Giants (#13)
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

For more than four generations, the Ben Davis Band has been the musical ambassador for Indianapolis, traveling to two continents and every major bowl parade in existence. This is the Marching Giants' sixth performance in the Rose Parade since 1963. Associate Director Shawn McNabb, a Ben Davis graduate, marched in the 1985 Rose Parade. This is Jim Butz's third Rose Parade in his 22 years as director. Other major performances have included the Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl and the 500 Festival Parades. The Ben Davis Band has played for six United States Presidents, including two inaugural parades.

Ben Davis is the first high school band in the world to use "Freehand" Music Pads, which are individual laptop computers that display music and take the place of sheet music. The band is wearing custom designed uniforms by Broadway and film designer Michael Cesario.