PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
It's the 100th Grand Floral Parade and Reed College is also celebrating a milestone - a 100th birthday.
Students, staff and alumni have been busy designing and building the float this past month.
What's unique about it is they're doing it all by themselves.
The last time Reed had a float in the parade was 1936.
This year, they figured what better way to honor the college's centennial celebration than with their icon, a griffin, rolling down the parade route?
Half eagle, half lion, the float is just a combination of metal, wood and steel right now, but every inch has been put together with a lot of effort and pride.
"We had always wanted to enter a float in the rose festival. In fact, many times we've said, 'Wouldn't it be cool to be in the Rose Festival?'" project director and Reed alum Rob Mack said.
That question turned into reality this year and the timing couldn't be more perfect.
That's because the school is celebrating its 100th birthday and will be culminating that celebration with the float at this year's Rose Parade.
"The greatest thing has been to see the alumni enthusiasm. Throughout the community - even those who aren't participating - are emailing and want to know 'How can I be a part of this?'" Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, Mike Teskey, said.
Volunteers started from the ground up - first building the deck, then the mechanical portions, to now framing the griffin.
Eventually they will wrap it with burlap, paint it then cover it with hundreds of flowers.
"When we first started, we set our goals and then very quickly we were way ahead of schedule and what did we do, well we raised the bar," Mack said.
"It's been very very fun. It's a feather in the cap. I mean, how often do you get a chance to do something like that?" he said.
Float creators said it's a lot of work, but call it a labor of love.
And they can't wait to watch the griffin take flight.
"Reedies will be lining the streets celebrating and cheering us as we take the float through the streets of Portland," Teskey said.
The Reedies estimate they'll be saving thousands of dollars since they're building the float themselves.
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