Michael Theriault of Haverhill’s Enterprises by Michael (with Plaistow florist Suzanne Sampson) is designing the 2018 Rose Bowl Parade float for Miracle-Gro. (Courtesy photo.)
Live, from Pasadena—it’s Haverhill florist Michael Theriault! Thirty years of wedding and party arrangements have prepared local florist Theriault to take part in Monday’s Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.
The city resident tells WHAV he was recruited through Fiesta to lend a hand with Miracle-Gro’s 2018 float. Celebrating the company’s 150 anniversary, this year’s design features vignettes showcasing the brand’s growth over the years. TV’s Ty Pennington will appear on the float mowing the lawn and enjoying a barbecue.
Miracle-Gro’s 2018 float.
Taking center stage, however, will be 30,000 flowers of all shapes and sizes. As is tradition, every inch of the design must be covered in a living element.
Theriault, formerly of Flowers by Steve, worked with hundreds of volunteers to attach seeds, seaweed, orchids, roses and other blooms to the float.
“It’s spectacular—and unfortunately TV doesn’t do it justice. I keep saying they should really do a documentary on how many hours and hundreds of people who come from all over the country to volunteer,” Theriault tells WHAV, adding that his float was touched up by a Girl Scout troop. Plaistow’s Suzanne Sampson also added finishing touches.
Theriault did most of the floral work in Azusa, Calif. before the float was transported to Pasadena. A police escort led the floats in an effort to protect the delicate designs.
On Sunday, Theriault and his fellow designers saw their floats judged by Rose Bowl staff and will watch Monday’s parade from the grandstands. Then it’s back to Haverhill—for a well-deserved nap!
Says Theriault: “We’ll watch the parade from the grandstands, then probably take a whole day to sleep.”
The 2018 Rose Bowl Parade airs locally on HGTV at 11 a.m.