2025 Rose Parade Float Riders and About Our Float

Picture a world where color, hope and joy reign supreme, where every day holds the promise of something wonderful. This is the world Shriners Children's creates for our patients. Our float embodies this magical journey toward a brighter tomorrow, showcasing the life-changing power of resilience.

Imagine a lush tropical paradise, teeming with life. A working waterfall cascades down one side of the float, creating a soothing background melody that washes away the challenges of the past and makes way for optimism and confidence. Brilliant birds take flight overhead, while butterflies flit and flutter through the air, their iridescent wings shimmering in the sunlight. Amid this magical oasis, a school of colorful fish swims playfully through the crystal-clear waters, adding to the sense of wonder and enchantment. Delicate greenery in the shape of hearts sprouts from the float's landscape, a poignant symbol of the compassion and care that fuel Shriners Children's mission. Palm trees sway gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling as they reach for the sky, just like our patients reach for their dreams. Beautiful seashells glisten beneath the float's shimmering shore, a reminder of the treasures that lie within each child, waiting to be discovered and nurtured.

This float is more than just a display made of roses – it is a metaphor for growth and the boundless potential that blossoms when a child is given the chance to thrive. Just as an oasis flourishes in the desert, so too do our patients bloom into their brightest selves at Shriners Children's.

Float riders include two young people who embody the hope and healing at the heart of the Shriners Children's mission. Paige and Grayson, our International Patient Ambassadors, have faced incredible challenges, but with the help of Shriners Children's, they have not only overcome, but thrived. Their stories of perseverance, determination and triumph serve as a testament to the amazing care Shriners Children's provides.

Paige's journey, marked by over 20 surgeries and the challenges of living with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, is a shining example of the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity and emerge stronger. Despite the obstacles she has faced, Paige has become a leader and an inspiration to others, spreading awareness and offering support to those navigating similar challenges. Grayson, born with physical differences that could have limited him, has never let his challenges define his path. With the help of his care team and the unwavering support of his family, he has embraced life with gusto, pursuing his passions and aspirations with confidence and determination. As they look to the future, Paige and Grayson are eager to inspire and support other young people facing similar journeys.

Accompanying Paige and Grayson on the float and representing our fraternity are Imperial Potentate Richard Burke and First Lady Judy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Leslie Stewart, M.D., and other special guests. Together, this group represents the Shriners Children's community, united in the mission to create a world of unlimited potential for children from around the world.

Imagine a world where every day is the best day ever, where joy and excitement replace apprehension, and where the boundaries of what's possible seem to disappear. This is the world Shriners Children's creates for the children and families we serve. The Rose Parade's theme, Best Day Ever, is about more than just a fleeting moment of joy – it's about the kind of life-changing experiences that fill every day with wonder and promise.

At Shriners Children's, we believe that every child deserves to experience the best day ever, every day. Our care is designed to help children overcome the challenges they face, meet their goals and experience the joy, wonder and limitless potential that every day should hold. Our float’s theme is Hope Shines On because it is a living, breathing representation of this vision, a vibrant representation of the power of hope for our patients.

As the world watches the Rose Parade, our tropical oasis will come to life, delightfully displaying the uplifting power of hope, the magic of the human spirit and the incredible things that can happen when we believe in the chance of a brighter tomorrow. For the children and families of Shriners Children's, every day is a chance to experience the best day ever, to step into a world of color and possibility, and to discover the joy of living beyond limits. This is the message our float will carry to the millions watching the Rose Parade, a celebration of the empowerment, healing and transformation that happens every day at Shriners Children's, where Hope Shines On.