Rose Parade Float To Showcase Wild, Wonderful West Virginia

Public invited to recommend names for the two black bears featured on the float

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The two black bears will be featured on the float, shown in the artist’s rendering above. Photos courtesy of WVU Medicine Children’s.

Download photos: https://bit.ly/1lLWpoF

CHARLESTON, West Virginia (December 15, 2015) – Wild, Wonderful West Virginia today encouraged individuals to recommend names for  the two West Virginia black bears featured on the WVU Medicine Children’s Rose Parade® Float which features the Mountain State. The float, a partnership between WVU Medicine Children’s and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, will take part in the 2016 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

“We are excited to see Wild, Wonderful West Virginia join the longstanding Rose Parade®  tradition with this float showcasing our beautiful state,” Commissioner of Tourism Amy Shuler Goodwin said. “From the 55 bricks honoring our 55 counties to the snowy winter slopes, it truly is a work of art. We look forward to seeing the finished float in the parade on New Year’s Day.”

The theme for the 127th Rose Parade is “Find your Adventure.” The WVU Medicine Children’s Float celebrates the Mountain State’s four seasons and abundant recreational opportunities–including whitewater rafting, golfing, biking, fishing, hiking, skiing and snowboarding. The state animal, bird and flower are featured, in addition to the iconic New River Gorge Bridge and Greenbrier Resort Springhouse.

To recommend a name for one or both of the two hand-decorated black bears: 1. visit www.facebook.com/gotowv, www.twitter.com/gotowv or www.instagram.com/gotowv; 2. locate the photo of the bears; 3. comment with suggested names. The bears’ names will be announced December 23.

For more information about the WVU Children’s Miracle Float, contact Megan Skubovius, or any member of the WVU Medicine Children’s Development Office, by calling 304-598-4346. You can also visit the float website at www.miraclenewyear.com.

Real. Excitement * Real. Family Time * Real. Mountain Flavor * Real. Adventure * Real. Fun * Real. Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.  You can find it here.  Call 800.225.5982 or visit GoToWV.com.  Share your Real. West Virginia stories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #GoToWV and #RealWV.

This post was last updated on December 16, 2015