RFD-TV will compete for its first Rose Parade trophy with a Hee Haw float on Jan. 1.
In keeping with the theme for the 120th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif, the rural America proponent and Phoenix Decorating, the event’s largest float builder, have created a Hee Haw float, which will house guest celebrities singing to the more than 1 million viewers along the parade route and a national TV audience on HGTV from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ET).Hee Haw, which first aired on CBS in 1969, returned to the air on Sept. 7 on RFD-TV, where it now runs on Thursdays at 6 p.m. (ET) and Sundays at 8 p.m.
In addition to Hee Haw, RFD-TV is saluting the American farmer and rancher in this year’s parade. The float includes agricultural commodities from all 50 U.S. States and is primarily being decorated by commodity organizations and the FFA.
“RFD-TV and Hee Haw are a match made in heaven to salute traditional, family-oriented rural entertainment,” said Patrick Gottsch, RFD-TV founder and president, in a statement. “We are honored to pay tribute to the American farmer and rancher—our viewers—on such a large national platform with a show that is still entertaining audiences today with its unique blend of 'corny' humor. For over four decades, every Hee Haw episode has ended with traditional country artists taking off their hats and 'saluting' the audience from their famous cornfield. We are excited to recreate and repeat this memorable scene along the parade route as part of RFD-TV’s salute to entertainment.”
Led by a gigantic, animated and steam-spewing tractor, the 85-foot-long float will feature down-home activities, highlighted by a 25-foot-tall windmill with spinning blades, an eye-catching rustic barn, and countless examples of the bounty that makes
America
the “breadbasket” of the world.
Natural decorating materials -- corn, wheat and soybeans -- and over-sized sculptures adorn the float to highlight a harvest of natural products from America’s farmers around the country.
