Rose Parade 2007 Order (76-97)

As in the Old West, the Spirit of the West Riders rely on a variety of horse breeds including quarterhorses, thoroughbreds, paints, mustangs, Missouri fox trotters, Arabians and other popular breeds of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They are a unique horse group that blends American history and entertainment in their representation of the men and women of various ethnic backgrounds who tamed the wild frontier of the 1840 to 1920 period. Each of these equestrians embodies the spirit of the American frontier with their colorful old-time outfits, period saddles and other historic gear.

All dedicated historians and top horsebackers, many Spirit of the West Riders appear frequently at charitable functions throughout southern California and in professional productions, movies and television. They are riding in the Rose Parade on behalf of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. Shunning the popular Hollywood Western film image, this equestrian unit offers a realistic, yet flavorful, glimpse of America's past.

Lutheran Laymen's League (#82)
Float Theme: God's Great Nature

Believing that all things in the universe flow from God's great nature, the Lutherans present a few examples — human love, nature in colorful blossom and the beauty of animal life — in an inspiring church setting. The church windows glow and a steeple reaches heavenward, while an adoring couple sees the light of a path together illuminated by lamps. A pair of swans, frequently seen as symbolizing love, nature, wisdom and beauty, swims alongside the float.

The Lutheran-affiliated Petal Pushers provide more than 5,000 volunteer decorators each year for this float, as well as many others created by Phoenix Decorating Company.

Punahou Academy Marching Band (#83)
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

The Punahou Band has performed in the Rose Parade twice before, in 1985 and 1999. They wear military cadet-style uniforms, with white and blue top, blue bottoms and white shoes. The band is led by director Keith Higaki and assistant director Gary Graser.

The band has 256 members, including two leaders, three drum majors, 90 brass, 26 percussion, 100 woodwinds, six banner carriers, 26 color guard and three travel safety personnel. Most of the members of the marching band perform in one of the Punahou School concert bands (Concert Band I & II, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble).

La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association (#84)
Float Theme: Self-Built Float

The theme "Self-Built Float" combines not-so-wild animals in their natural habitat working together to produce a float for the enjoyment of others. The theme also reflects the status of La Cañada Flintridge, one of only six float sponsors who design, build and decorate their own entry. The float depicts a group of animated penguins struggling to create a giant root beer float, while a walrus waits to serve their creation. Soda shop music from an unseen jukebox accompanies their effort. This is an unassisted triple-play on words: nature equals animals, good nature equals smiling cooperation toward a goal and float equals Rose Parade float or root beer float.

The penguins are made of onion seed and sweet rice bodies, dried carrot feet and Indian lentil beaks. The walrus wears naturally grown beige cotton, with a pampas grass mustache, sweet rice tusks and carnation jacket. In all, 25,000 chrysanthemums, 6,000 carnations, 6,000 roses, and gladioli, orchids, irises and silverleaf stalks, combine with 500 pounds of seeds and dry materials and 100 pounds of naturally grown beige cotton to decorate this lively float.

Western Group (#85)
Marshal: Jann of Sweden

The Western Group is a band of elegant riders from across the U.S. assembled primarily for the Rose Parade. These riders have been participating in the Rose Parade for more than 30 years. Breeds represented in this group are: Missouri fox trotter, Appaloosas, quarterhorses, Morgans and Arabians. The Western Group presents a musical addition in the 2007 Rose Parade: Belinda Gail and Curly Musgrave, billed as "The finest western/cowboy entertainment."

The riders' attire is adorned with leather, rhinestones, silver and elegant fabrics and ornamental accessories. Marshal Jann of Sweden's attire consists of a white tuxedo accented with red roses. Many saddles exhibited by the Western Group are the work of Bohlin, a master Hollywood saddle maker whose craft was at its peak in the 1920s and 1930s.