Cal Poly Universities Rose Float


The Cal Poly Universities Rose Float is a joint entry of a rose float into the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association's annual Rose Parade by both Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo universities. These two institutions have continuously participated in the parade since 1949; winning the Award of Merit in their first year. The Cal Poly floats have led in introducing technology to the Parade, including the first use of hydraulics for animation in 1968, the first use of computer-controlled animation in 1978, the first use of fiber optics in 1982, animated deco in 2014, and the first to create a color changing floral effect in 2017. As of January 2, 2020, the floats have won 60 awards. This program is one of the longest consecutive running self-built entries in the parade, as well as the only "self built" float designed and constructed entirely by students year-round on two campuses. They compete against professional float builders who manufacture entries for sponsors, many of them with development budgets approaching $1 million. This tradition continues today and marks the partnership between the two campuses.
Road & Track magazine did a road test of the Cal Poly Universities Rose Float as part of their annual April issue of unusual vehicles.

History

List of Cal Poly Rose Floats

Entry #YearTitlePhotoRenderingHi-res VideoFloat Of The WeekAward
722020Aquatic AspirationsDirector’s Trophy
712019Far Out FrequenciesExtraordinaire
702018Dreams Take FlightPast President
692017A New Leaf—Founder's Trophy
682016Sweet ShenanigansLathrop K. Leishman Trophy
672015Soaring StoriesLathrop K. Leishman Trophy
662014Bedtime BuccaneersCrown City Innovation Trophy
652013Tuxedo AirBob Hope Humor Trophy
642012To the Rescue!—KTLA Favorite Float Award
632011Galactic Expedition—Fantasy Trophy /
Viewers' Choice Award
622010Jungle Cuts—Bob Hope Humor Trophy /
Viewers' Choice Award
612009Seaside AmusementViewers' Choice Award
602008Guardians of Harmony—Fantasy Trophy
592007Arctic Antics—No award won
582006Enchanted Reverie—No award won
572005Elefun Time—No award won
562004Bob's Barnacle BandFounder's Trophy
552003A Sundae Afternoon—Theme Prize
542002Birthday Blowout—No award won
532001A Grizzly Situation—Founder's Trophy
522000Stolen Time—Humor Trophy
511999Surfin' the Net—No award won
501998Countryside JoyrideFounders Trophy
491997Catch of the Day—Founders Trophy
481996Thumbs Up—No award won
471995Bending the Rules—No award won
461994A Novel Adventure—No award won
451993Hare Raising FunNo award won
441992Squeaking By—No award won
431991Tickle Attack—Humor Trophy
421990Sound Waves—No award won
411989Paradin' AroundFounder's Trophy
401988Imagine That...-Founder's Trophy
391987Breaking the IceNo award won
381986Bubble Trouble—Founder's Trophy
371985Only in AmericaNo award won
361984A Knight to Remember—No award won
351983While the Cat's at PlayPrincess Award
341982Way Out Welcome—Princess Award
331981Snow Poke1st Class H
321980Hard Rock—Founder's Trophy
311979Cub O'War—Princess Award
301978Grin And Bear It—1st Class H
291977Tons Of Fun—Princess Award
281976High HopesFounder's Trophy
271975Building A Better MousetrapPrincess Award
261974Happiness Is Finding A Friend—Theme Prize
251973Monster Matinee—1st Class H
241972Swamp Rhythm—Mayor's Trophy
231971Once Upon A Dream—Judges' Special
221970That First Day Of SpringPrincess Award
211969The Good Ole Days—Princess Award
201968The Mouse That Got AwayPrincess Award
191967A Child's Fantasy—Mayor's Trophy
181966It's A Child's WorldJudges' Special
171965Good News Travels Fast1st Class H
161964Cutting The Apron Strings1st Class H
151963A Young Man's Fancy1st Class H
141962Man On The Moon1st Class H
131961Slow Boat To China1st Class H
121960Special Delivery1st Class H
111959St. George And The DragonTheme Prize
101958Summer Daze2nd Class H
91957Which Was First? The Chicken or the Egg?Theme Prize
81956Steps To Peace1st Class H
71955The Sky's The Limit2nd Class H
61954Gulliver's Travels1st Class H
51953Mission Bells—3rd Class H
41952A Free World Through Education—1st Class H
31951College Barn Dance1st Class H
21950New Frontiers—3rd Class H
11949Rocking Horse—Award of Merit

Awards

Since 1949 the floats have won 60 trophies.
TrophyTrophy DescriptionWinsWinning Years
Award of MeritDepicting the highest level of Merit11949
Bob Hope Humor Trophy & Humor TrophyMost comical and amusing, Best display of Humor41991, 2000, 2010, 2013
Crown City Innovation TrophyBest Use of Imagination & Innovation to Advance the Art of Float Design12014
Director TrophyMost outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials12020
Extraordinaire AwardMost Extraordinary Float on the Parade, Including Those Longer than 55' Long.12019
Fantasy TrophyMost Outstanding Display of Fantasy & Imagination22008, 2011
Founder's TrophyMost outstanding self-decorated entry.101976, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2017
Judges' SpecialMost Spectacular in Showmanship & Dramatic Impact21966, 1971
Lathrop K. Leishman TrophyMost beautiful non-commercial float22015, 2016
Mayor's TrophyBest display of Originality21967, 1972
Past PresidentMost outstanding innovation in use of floral and non-floral materials12018
Princess AwardBest Display of Animation 81968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983
Theme PrizeMost fitting presentation of theme41957, 1959, 1974, 2003
Viewers' Choice Trophy & KTLA Favorite Float AwardViewers favorite Rose Parade float poll 42009, 2010, 2011, 2012
1st Class H1st Place - Educational division131951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1981
2nd Class H2nd Place - Educational division21955, 1958
3rd Class H3rd Place - Educational division21950, 1953
4th Class H4th Place - Educational division0