Rose Parade 2006 Order (76-99)

The Seika Girls High School is one of the oldest private high schools in Fukuoka, Japan. Mrs. Matsu Yoshida (1884-1976) established the first sewing academy in Fukuoka in 1909. As founder of the Seika Girls High School, Yoshida devoted her whole life to education for girls at a time when it was not considered to be important. Yoshida's aspiration was to nurture girls to become broad-minded citizens of the world and to establish Japanese cultural identity. She was highly respected as a female educator and was decorated with the Medal of Merit for her distinguished achievement.

In 1978, Fujishige Yoshihisa founded a school band club; today he is the director of the Seika Girls High School Marching Band. Recently, the band won the 2003 and 2004 Gold Prize in the All Japan Marching Band Contest. This performance will mark the marching band's first Rose Parade appearance.

Oddfellows and Rebekahs (#83)
Float Theme: A Romantic Moment

As everyone who has ever experienced "A Romantic Moment" can attest, it's magical! A winter forest scene and a one-horse open sleigh provide a romantic setting, offering a young couple a magical moment in time. A spotted draft horse propels this loving duo—surely an Odd Fellow and a Rebekah—along their snowy path. Real fir trees highlight the Oddfellows and Rebekahs' 53rd entry in the Rose Parade. The trees are surrounded by glistening snow flakes and several hearty roses, peeking though Jack Frost's newly fallen magical coating.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, founded circa 1841 in Great Britain, is dedicated to "visiting the sick, relieving the distressed, burying the dead, educating the orphaned and improving the character of man."

California Elite Petite (#84)

The Miniature Horse is a unique breed. These strong and intelligent horses worked in the gold mines of South America. They were brought to the United States in the 1800s and worked in the Appalachian coal mines until 1950. The 14 Miniature Horses in this team are all less than 34 inches high.

The California Elite Petite is a unique group of driven Miniature Horses that pull antique and vintage coaches, wagons and carriages. Art Ricketts and Jim Rapp built the miniature stagecoach from the original 1800s Wells Fargo coach plans with authentic colors and gold leaf detail. The costumes are made from vintage design patterns. The group has performed in parades and exhibitions for five years. They also participate in animal-assisted therapy and special education for children. They love every minute of performing and do it for the big rewards: the smiles.

Marshal: Dawn Wright

City of South Pasadena (#85)
Float Theme: Magical Mischief

South Pasadena's float portrays what occurs when funny things happen to a witch and her kitchen. Raccoons have broken into the witch's kitchen and are playing while she sleeps in her rocking chair. One raccoon learns to fly on a magic broomstick and another has picked up a magic wand and turned a small rabbit into a 10-foot rabbit. The raccoons' antics illustrate what can happen when someone gets into something they know nothing about.

The bunny is fashioned in raw cotton and the raccoons are wearing palm fiber, uva grass, Old Man's Beard and pampas grass. The caldron is made of Spanish moss, Brussels sprouts, limes, Kermit green mums and amaranth seed. The base gardens are mixed with mums, roses, carnations, irises, orchids, elephant leaves and hydrangeas. The South Pasadena Tournament of Roses float is the oldest self-built float in the parade and also the second oldest floral entry in the parade's history.

Band: Foothill Marching Band (#86)
Location: Pleasanton, California

The Foothill Marching Band has a long history of outstanding performances, which includes appearances in the Portland Rose Festival, the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, the Festival of States in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Hawaii Invitational Music Festival in Honolulu and the London New Year's Day Parade. This is the band's fifth appearance in the Rose Parade. Members of the Foothill Marching Band travel to Europe every other summer to give concerts in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

The Foothill Marching Band has earned more than 2,500 first-place and sweepstakes awards. This past school year, the band earned 15 sweepstakes awards in marching competitions and 22 first-place awards. This is the 32nd year of the Foothill Marching Band under the direction of Bob Moorefield.

City of Alhambra (#87)
Float Theme: Floating on the River

A bejeweled, reclining goddess floating on the river Nile presents a lighthearted look at one of history's most magical rulers, Cleopatra. But this Queen of the Nile is stylized as a gigantic hippo, lounging on a colorful floral barge and enjoying the pleasures of a bowl of fruit, cooling feather fans and the aroma of a single rose.

The hippo is created with silverleaf, gray moss and carnation petals. Her gossamer pants feature pink roses and strawflowers. The fans are created with pink flower petals and pampas grass. Alhambra, located south of Pasadena, is celebrating its 78th consecutive Rose Parade appearance. The float is decorated by more than 500 volunteers, primarily from the Alhambra Unified School District.