CHARLESTON, WV – 20 West Virginia kids are getting ready for the opportunity of a lifetime- a chance to ride in the Rose Bowl Parade. The float starts a new tradition of partnerships and an opportunity to show-off all West Virginia has to offer.

This Friday among the colorful floats made of roses you’ll see a little piece of West Virginia. A miniature Greenbrier, New River Gorge Bridge and other landmarks will be featured in the “Find Your Adventure” float.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity because the eyes of the world are on the Rose Bowl Parade. Even if you don’t like football, you watch the Rose Bowl Parade,” explained Amy Goodwin Commissioner of Wild Wonderful West Virginia.

The Division of Tourism worked with the WVU Medicine Children’s and Children’s Miracle Network to create the first West Virginia float in the Rose Bowl Parade since 1963. Six WVU Medicine Children’s patients will ride the float now being nicknamed “The WVU Children’s Miracle Float”.

“We might go to Disney land. I’m going to be in the canoe I’m going to like have a helmet too,” Brody Wilmoth told WBOY-TV earlier this year before leaving for the trip. Brody was previously a Miracle Child, acting as an ambassador for other kids in the Children’s Miracle Network. He’s just one child with an amazing story of recovery and now of adventure.

“it’s been a dream of mine to go to California, it’s so exciting. I’ve met and went and met the president, I spent the weekend with Mark Wills, the singer, Miss America, and now I’m getting to do this,” said Samantha Stalnaker. She was also a Miracle Child and will be riding in the float Friday as well.

The former patients voted on names for the two black bears that will be on float. The black bears of course being West Virginia’s state animal. The final decision for names- courage and pride.

“Because that really embodies the patients of that hospital, and the people of west Virginia. Courage and pride – that’s who we are,” Goodwin explained.

The WVU Medicine Children’s group organizing the float is still accepting donations to go towards the cost of building the float. You can check out pictures and updates on the float on their Facebook page. Be sure to watch for the float Friday morning.