Angeles works on ‘Star Trek’ float in Rose Parade

By Commodore Dave Mason

PASADENA — Amanda Payatt stepped on a scaffold high above the ground to reach every “Star Trek” fan’s dream.

A nacelle of the original USS Enterprise.

She was among the USS Angeles members who went to Pasadena on Dec. 30 to work on Paramount Skydance/CBS’ “Star Trek” float in the Rose Parade, which takes place on New Year’s Day in Pasadena.

Fifteen USS Angeles members and guests participated in the work, doing tasks such as cutting and gluing leaves for the captain’s chair on the USS Angeles bridge. Jon Lane and Lisa Sobien also worked directly on the float’s bridge. Lisa glued seeds to cover Mr. Sulu’s helm! As previously mentioned, Amanda worked near the nacelle.

Other helping were members Joe, Cassie and Lili Queen; Ed Millner; Cheryl Templeton; Kristine and Dennis Cherry; Jon’s son Jayden Lane; and I, along with Amanda’s friends. Joe organized the USS Angeles away mission and served as our liaison with Paramount Skydance/CBS. Thank you, Joe!

Paramount Skydance/CBS gave us the royal treatment, setting up a “green room” in the white tent near the Rosemont Pavilion, across from the Rose Bowl. We enjoyed pastries and sodas in the tent and were treated to a surprise: the sudden appearance of Karim Diane, a cast member of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.” He plays Klingon cadet Jay-Den Kraag on the series, which will start streaming Jan. 15 on Paramount+. Cassie, our Instagram coordinator, later did a video interview with him, and that will be presented later on the USS Angeles media platforms.

Inside the pavilion, we walked around the enormous “Star Trek” float, but were amazed by other floats, which featured everything from a re-creation of a bowling alley to a giant cruise ship. The size was impressive, but so was the attention to detail, right down to the details on the Enterprise bridge. More photos by Angeles members will appear later on this website and in other media, such as Angels Flight, the USS Angeles newsletter, which will feature a longer story. You’ll also find another photo of the float’s Enterprise on our Instagram page.

It was a fun morning as we helped to prepare the float, which, besides the Enterprise and the bridge, included transporters, a re-creation of filming site Vasquez Rocks and planets. It’s a great way to start the celebration of the 60th anniversary of “Star Trek.”

Fans work on the USS Enterprise, part of a “Star Trek” float for the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena.

The USS Enterprise comes to life on the “Star Trek” float in time for the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. (Photos by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)

USS Angeles member Amanda Payatt stands at the top of the giant “Star Trek” float, where she worked near a nacelle of the USS Enterprise

Lisa Sobien and Jon Lane, sitting in the captain’s chair, work on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. It’s part of the “Star Trek” float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.

Karim Diane, a member of the “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” cast, visits the food and refreshments tent for volunteers working on the “Star Trek” float in the Rose Parade.

Volunteers work on the planets and the USS Enterprise on the “Star Trek” float in the Rose Parade.

Joe Queen works on the leaves that will grace the captain’s chair on the “Star Trek” float. Joe is the USS Angeles member who organized the mission to decorate the Rose Parade float.

Cassie Queen, left, and Lili Queen work on putting glue on leaves that will grace the captain’s chair on the “Star Trek” float.