PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 9, 1999 (PRIMEZONE) - A fanciful view of the future, in which service stations are light years apart and rocket fuel is the propellant of choice, is provided by ARCO (NYSE:ARC) in its animated "Star Action 2000" entry in Pasadena's historic 2000 Tournament of Roses parade.
The float marks the 27th consecutive year in which Los Angeles-based ARCO has participated in the Rose Parade - and its 73rd year as a Tournament of Roses supporter.
ARCO will also be fueling the 54 floats moving down Pasadena's Colorado Boulevard on New Year's Day.
In keeping with the millennial theme, the 55-ft. long ARCO float is festooned with whirling planets, spinning suns and radiating beams -- a virtual "Star Wars" on wheels.
Zooming fearlessly through the celestial fireworks are three helmeted astronauts riding space scooters of strange design. Where the astronauts are going is not clear, but they are definitely determined to get there - turbochargers blasting and afterburners glowing.
As for flowers, crisp white carnations make up the sleek design of the space scooters, while shiny silverleaf protea and eucalyptus leaves create the glistening chrome detail. The energy of the solar system is represented with planets and radiating beams made up of more than 22 varieties of solid roses, with explosions of oncidium and dendrobium orchids.
A network of complex hydraulic systems and computers enables the space vehicles to pitch and roll, the planets to rotate, the stars to spin, and the beams to corkscrew, creating a kaleidoscopic effect.
"Star Action 2000" was designed by master float designer Raul Rodriguez and is being constructed and decorated in Duarte, Ca., by Fiesta Parade Floats with assistance by teams of ARCO volunteers. The float is available at the Fiesta Parade Floats assembly site as a backdrop for photographs or TV coverage of Rose Parade preparations.
Fiesta is headquartered at 1727 Buena Vista Street in Duarte. The office and assembly site can be reached by taking the Buena Vista exit of Interstate 210 and proceeding south one major intersection. By December 23, the float will be moved a quarter mile south to Fiesta's auxiliary decorating site at 2144 Buena Vista in Duarte.
ARCO is a worldwide integrated hydrocarbons company with operations encompassing all aspects of the oil and gas business.