The California Milk Advisory Board rang in 2016 with its first ever Rose Parade trophy at the 127th parade on New Year’s Day. The CMAB’s “Adventures in Real Food” float entry from builder Fiesta Parade Floats was recognized with the Tournament Special Trophy, honoring “Exceptional Merit in Multiple Classifications.” The trophy is one of 24 presented to the parade’s 44 float entries each year, recognizing such elements as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact.

 “We’re thrilled to be recognized for all of the hard work the team from Fiesta, parade volunteers and our dairy farm families put into bringing the ‘Adventures in Real Food’ entry to life,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “To be honored on a national stage for these efforts is especially rewarding.”

Keeping with the parade’s “Find Your Adventure” theme, the CMAB’s float recognized that culinary adventures start with dairy – from the cheese that tops pizza to the ice cream that turns a banana into a celebration – all provided through the state’s more than 1,400 dairy farm families. On Dec. 31, the float received a special designation certifying it as “California Grown” (#CAGrown) in recognition of the use of over 85 percent of flowers and foliage from California growers. The #CAGrown certification from the California Cut Flower Commission was presented in a special, post-judging ceremony attended by Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Karen Ross.

Turlock High alumna and 2015 District 6 Dairy Princess Makenzie Neves was one of five float riders who was selected to represent the state’s more than 1,400 dairy families.