Lions Club offers ‘Ride of your Life’ chance to ride Rose Parade float on New Year’s Day

Lions Club International is offering a "Ride of your Life" opportunity of sitting atop its festive, flower-covered float during the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.

Apple Valley Lions Club officials said a $20 "Ride of your Life" ticket purchased is one entry for a chance to win the grand prize ride in the 2025 Rose Parade down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena.

The winner will also receive a one-night stay for two at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, two parade grandstand seats, and two tickets to the Lions International meet-and-greet reception and tour of the float barn. Transportation from the hotel to the parade and back is also included, Lions Club members said.

The theme of this year’s Rose Parade is “Best Day Ever!” with the Lions International float titled "Celebrating a Day of Service," organizers said.

Approximately 45 floats participate in the Rose Parade each year as they travel the nearly 5.5-mile route, along with marching bands, equestrian units, vehicles, and other entries.

Lions first displayed a Rose Parade float in 1948. Since 1992, Lions Clubs International has continuously presented a float in the parade.

The Rose Parade airs nationally to an audience of more than 50 million viewers and is broadcast internationally in more than 170 countries. The parade garners a live, on-site audience of more than 700,000 spectators annually, parade officials stated.

The production price for the Lions float is a tiny fraction of the cost of purchasing TV advertising of this magnitude. It serves as a message to the world that Lions are people who serve others, Lions officials said.

The deadline to purchase Lions Club "Ride of your Life" tickets is Nov. 2, with the drawing held Nov. 16, according to Jennifer Simpson, the 2nd vice district governor for Lions Club District 4-L5.

To purchase tickets, call 760-927-7672 or email JenSimpson82@gmail.com .

Tickets can also be purchased online by searching Lions "Ride of Your Life" Tickets at eventbrite.com .

For more information on the Lions Club float, visit lionsfloat.org.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Lions Club offers ‘Ride of your Life’ chance to ride Rose Parade float on New Year’s Day