For decades, Fiesta Parade Floats – the oldest and smallest float-building company in Rose Parade history —was a cornerstone of the event, earning numerous awards for its intricate and breathtaking floral displays.
That legacy came to an abrupt end earlier this year when the Tournament of Roses dropped Fiesta as an authorized builder for failing to meet established criteria.
Now, that tradition is poised to continue under a new banner—Fiesta Productions Inc.
Mike Abboud, a long-time float designer with nine years of experience at Fiesta, is stepping up to carry on the legacy of the award-winning company. He is building a team made up of many of Fiesta’s talented former employees.
Fiesta Productions recently received approval from the Tournament to become an official builder for the Rose Parade, Tournament officials confirmed Tuesday, Dec. 31, noting that the company is an approved builder for the 2026 Rose Parade.
The company is set to launch in mid-January, Abboud said when reached by the phone Tuesday. Currently, the team is focused on preparation and organization, with plans to operate from the same Irwindale location previously used by Fiesta Parade Floats.
Abboud’s connection to the Rose Parade runs deep.
“ I have been a fan of the Rose Parade since I was a kid,” he said.
In his late teens, Abboud met and became close friends with Raul Rodriguez, the acclaimed float designer who shaped much of the parade’s creative history.
Inspired by Rodriguez’s work, Abboud pursued a career as a float designer, starting with Phoenix Decorating before spending nearly a decade at Fiesta.
“ I was a designer, but I’ve always wanted to be a builder,” Abboud said.
When Fiesta Parade Floats shut down, he saw an opportunity to keep the tradition alive.
“I felt that Fiesta Productions, which is the company now, (is) surrounded by an amazing group of talented people,” Abboud said.
Its crew includes Jim Hynd, the main floral director for Fiesta for many years, as…
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