NEW BACHELOR BEN HIGGINS TAKES CENTER STAGE ON A MAGNIFICENT FLOAT IN THE "127th ROSE PARADE(R) PRESENTED BY HONDA," NEW YEAR'S DAY

Jade Roper and Tanner Tolbert, the "Bachelor" Franchise's Newest Engaged Couple, Will Be on Board, and Newlywed Lacy Faddoul and Fan Favorites Ashley Iaconetti and Samantha Steffen Will Soak in the Working Hot Tub

ABC Presents Live Coverage of the "2016 Rose Parade Presented by Honda," Friday, January 1, 2016

"The Bachelor" will kick off the New Year in style with popular members of the franchise riding a spectacular float, celebrating the 20th season of ABC's hit romance reality series. The "2016 Rose Parade Presented by Honda" will air live, FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. EST, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. CST, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. MST, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. PST), on the ABC Television Network.

Ben Higgins, who will begin his journey to find love when the landmark 20th season premieres on Monday, January 4 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EST), will be joined on the float by Jade Roper and Tanner Tolbert, who became engaged on last summer's hit "Bachelor in Paradise"; Lacy Faddoul, who married Marcus Grodd at the beginning of the same season of "Paradise" after meeting during Season One; and Ashley Iaconetti and Samantha Steffen, alumna of Chris Soules' season and "Paradise." The women will soak in the working hot tub aboard the float as it makes its way down Colorado Boulevard.

The float will depict a romantic fantasy adventure date on an exotic tropical island, which has come to define the "Bachelor" experience, as well as being illustrative of the parade's theme "Find Your Adventure." Ben will take the spotlight, sitting on a lifeguard stand surrounded by spectacular visions of crashing floral waves, lush white sand beaches, floral-perfume trade winds and swaying palm trees. An actual working hot tub, one of the quintessential "Bachelor" symbols - complete with heated water - is at the front of the float. Dolphins bob up and down as they surf in the floral waves, with intricately decorated sea life completing the ocean setting. A stylized glowing sun is the backdrop for the 55-foot-long by 22-foot-high float. A magnificent treasure chest, cascading with red roses, holds the custom-designed wedding rings. Carved Tiki figures, sculptured Cattleya orchids and colorful yellow hibiscus frame this phenomenal tropical setting.

The "Bachelor's" much-anticipated "Fantasy Dates" usually take place on far-away tropical beaches. For the float, floral waves of white Akito roses, Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis orchids and light and dark blue iris, delphinium, sinuata statice and hydrangea blossoms set the playground for the shimmering dolphins created from silverleaf protea leaves. Sea crabs, sea shells and starfish will be decorated from lentil and split pea beans, with pecans and cranberries individually placed side by side to simulate patterns on the back of their shells. Yellow strawflower and orange marigold petals create the colorful sculptured hibiscus flowers, with centers of solid red roses. Sculptured Cattleya orchids have been crafted from crisp white coconut flakes, purple sinuate statice blossoms and yellow strawflower petals.

An oasis of graceful sculptured palm trees, decorated in white coconut flakes, with lavish floral centers of purple dendrobium and Mokara orchids, cascade over lush floral gardens of over 10,000 hot pink Princess roses. The rose gardens ramble through colorful tropical gardens created from thousands of specialty anthuriums, cypripedium and hybrid vandal orchids. Kimi, Curcuma and Torch ginger, King and Pink Mink protea, along with Augusta, Bihia, Lobster Claw, Pagoda and fuzzy King Kong hanging heliconia complete this tropical paradise.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses(R)

The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade(R), the Rose Bowl Game(R) and a variety of associated events. Nine hundred thirty-five volunteer members of the association will drive the success of 127th Rose Parade presented by Honda and themed "Find Your Adventure," on Friday, January 1, 2016, followed by the 102nd Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. Learn more about our events at www.tournamentofroses.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, Elan Gale, Bennett Graebner, Peter Scalettar and Nicole Woods are the executive producers.