VIDEO: Rose Parade flowers safe from winter temperatures?

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- As temperatures drop across the Southland, will flowers featured on Rose Parade floats survive until the big day?

A floral director with Phoenix Decorating Company thinks so. The director says the flowers should stay alive as long as temperatures stay above 30 degrees. Wednesday evening temperatures were predicted to be in the high 40s.

But before New Year's Day, decorators put finishing touches on floats, preparing the displays for judging and Thursday's 5.5-mile route in Pasadena.

Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington advised parade attendees to dress in layers and keep warm with hand and foot warmers.

"This is the world's best parade that's out there. It's a time where families and people can come together and celebrate the New Year," Washington said.

The 126th Rose Parade, themed "Inspiring Stories," will take place New Year's Day along Colorado Boulevard. The parade -- featuring 39 floral floats, 19 marching bands and 18 high-stepping equestrian units -- gets underway at 8 a.m.

Watch Marc Cota-Robles' report above on Eyewitness News at 11 a.m.