Roto-Rooter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chemed Corp., made its debut at the 2003 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., with the first interactive float race. The Roto-Rooter float, called "Bathtub Races," consisted of five bathtubs and one toilet "racing" 5 1/2 miles to the finish line at the parade's end.

Viewers were invited online to place a guess at who would win the race. One lucky voter who guessed the winning float -- Bathtub Racer No. 5 -- won a trip to the 2004 Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl. The winner, Susanne Hraboskey of Keansburg, N.J., was determined via random selection.

For each of the nearly 1,000 votes cast online, 50 cents went to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

The float won the parade's first Bob Hope Humor Trophy, and followed Hope's family in the parade.