Casino float wins President's Award at Grand Floral Parade

Spirit Mountain Casino's "Love Rocks" float won the President's Award for most effective overall floral presentation during the Grand Floral Parade held Saturday, June 9, in downtown Portland.

Designed by Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr., the float featured a 500-gallon waterfall rushing to the tune of the tragic pop song, "Running Bear," which was a No. 1 hit for Johnny Preston in 1960.

The song tells the story of Running Bear, an Indian brave, and Little White Dove, an Indian maiden, who are in love but separated by a raging river and their respective Tribes' dislike for each other.

Tribal members Kiana Leno and Peter Nelson posed as models for the float.

The casino's float was the fifth vehicle in the Grand Floral Parade and the first float.

"I thought it was a pretty nice recognition," said Bobb. "The float looked really good. They did a tremendous job for what we wanted it to say. Everybody seemed to like the finished float with the features, so I was pretty pleased with that."

"I would like to thank everyone who helped us with the float this year," said casino Marketing Coordinator Angela Sears. "We had about 20 Spirit Mountain employees and Tribal Elders and Tribal members who traveled to Portland with us to help build the float. Without the help of these people, we would not be able to present an award-winning float for the Grand Floral Parade."

Spirit Mountain Casino signed a three-year sponsorship deal for the Grand Floral Parade in 2011. It will sponsor the parade again in 2013.