Fiesta Productions produced America250’s “Soaring Onward Together” float for the 137^th Rose Parade hailing in the 2026 new year. The design features three larger-than-life majestic eagles soaring above breathtaking landscapes, symbolizing the enduring strength, beauty, and spirit of America. With cascading waterfalls, intricate natural details, and extraordinary animated artistry, the eagles take flight with a complexity and creativity that reflects the grandeur of this historic milestone.

To complete the project Fiesta Productions required animation for the three eagles and turned to Rando Productions for their technological expertise. The float, which measures 30’x18’x55’ features a cutting-edge, sophisticated electro-servo hydraulic system to animate each of the three soaring eagles, bringing them to life in front of adoring crowds. 

Each eagle has an 18-foot wingspan and incorporates four distinct axes of motion: head turning, neck lifting, body rolling, and wing flapping. A custom, computer-controlled Rando system precisely adjusts the speed and position of every movement, resulting in smooth, natural movements. The eagles are powered by a 6-cylinder industrial gasoline engine driving a 32-gallon-per-minute hydraulic pump. 

All mechanisms were assembled and tested off-float before the sculpted pencil-steel rod work was split and carefully attached and integrated into the moving components. A specially designed, closed-loop feedback system allows programmers to choreograph the eagles’ motion in sync with Aaron Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man soundtrack. 

The control system was built around Weigl Controls’ ProCommander hardware, combining proven commercial control electronics with fully custom motion programming and tuning developed in-house at Rando Productions. This state-of-the-art animation controller uses timeline-based animation programming to precisely manage the velocity and position of each movement. Motion smoothing and synchronization was used across multiple axes. Special care went into the design and engineering of the system to achieve the most natural, realistic, and majestic motion possible. Joe Rando and David Stark rode inside the float to manage the hydraulics and show controls.

Rando Productions was involved from the beginning of the project and helped with concept design, which included hand sketches and napkin concepts, motion intent studies, and creative collaboration with the float design teams. Using SolidWorks 3D CAD modeling software, they were able to create multiple iterations for the internal mechanisms and structural and motion feasibility analysis for the float components. Once the design was determined, the team produced pre-visualization 3D-printed models to validate motion paths and proportions prior to fabrication. 

Besides providing the motion systems for the animatronics, Rando Productions was on-site for the installation and mechanical integration of the system. They provided testing and final motion tuning for the float as well as provide show readiness support. Rando Productions is known for their advanced custom fabrication, mechanical effects, show action equipment, and automation solutions for themed entertainment, film, broadcast, and live event industries. The “Soaring Onward Together” float commemorates America’s 250^th birthday and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Fiesta Productions is the production company behind the float. 

For more information: 

Rando Productions 

Fiesta Productions

Weigl Controls

America 250