BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Maggie Smith's character on "Downton Abbey" might find the pomp and circumstance uncomfortable, but the PBS show is getting its own float in the Rose Parade, two days before the premiere of its sixth and final season on Jan. 3.

PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger made the announcement Saturday at a bi-annual panel for TV critics.

"It's just a beautiful send off to the series and I think it's fun," said Kerger.

She said that PBS has been accused at times of not having a sense of humor and whimsy, and the float plan does have those qualities.

As for specifics: "It will have a lot of flowers on it and it will be a 'Downton Abbey' theme."

In an interview with The Associated Press, the show's star Michelle Dockery said she had never heard of the Rose Parade but joked there would be a lookalike of her riding the float.

Funding for the float will come from PBS' marketing budget, unless a sponsor can be found, a PBS spokesperson said.

The Rose Parade is held every year on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California.

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Online:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/

http://http://www.tournamentofroses.com/