# 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 San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Pomona 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 1, 2024, the floats have won 63 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.
For the 2022 float, a football tribute was added in memory of John Madden, who received degrees from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The football read "Madden, Ride High", referring to the school's fight song "Ride High You Mustangs".

## History
### List of Cal Poly Rose Floats

| Entry # | Year | Title | Photo | Rendering | Hi-res Video | Float Of The Week | Award |
| 76 | 2025 | Nessie's Lakeside Laughs | Cal Poly Float 2025 | Cal Poly Rendering 2025 | 2025 Hi-Res | - | Leishman Public Spirit |
| 75 | 2024 | Shock n' Roll: Powering the Musical Current | Cal Poly Float 2024 | Cal Poly Rendering 2024 | 2024 Hi-Res | — | Crown City Innovator |
| 74 | 2023 | Road to Reclamation | Cal Poly Float 2023 | Cal Poly Rendering 2023 | 2023 Hi-Res | 2023 FOTW | Extraordinaire |
| 73 | 2022 | Stargrazers | Cal Poly Float 2022 | Cal Poly Rendering 2022 | 2022 Hi-Res | 2022 FOTW | Animation |
| 72 | 2020 | Aquatic Aspirations | Cal Poly Float 2020 | Cal Poly Rendering 2020 | 2020 Hi-Res | 2020 FOTW | Director |
| 71 | 2019 | Far Out Frequencies | Cal Poly Float 2019 | Cal Poly Rendering 2019 | 2019 Hi-Res | 2019 FOTW | Extraordinaire |
| 70 | 2018 | Dreams Take Flight | Cal Poly Float 2018 | Cal Poly Rendering 2018 | 2018 Hi-Res | 2018 FOTW | Past President |
| 69 | 2017 | A New Leaf | Cal Poly Float 2017 | Cal Poly Rendering 2017 | 2017 Hi-Res | — | Founders' Trophy |
| 68 | 2016 | Sweet Shenanigans | Cal Poly Float 2016 | Cal Poly Rendering 2016 | 2016 Hi-Res | 2016 FOTW | Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy |
| 67 | 2015 | Soaring Stories | Cal Poly Float 2015 | Cal Poly Rendering 2015 | 2015 Hi-Res | 2015 FOTW | Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy |
| 66 | 2014 | Bedtime Buccaneers | Cal Poly Float 2014 | Cal Poly Rendering 2014 | 2014 Hi-Res | 2014 FOTW | Crown City Innovation Trophy |
| 65 | 2013 | Tuxedo Air | Cal Poly Float 2013 | Cal Poly Rendering 2013 | 2013 Hi-Res | 2013 FOTW | Bob Hope Humor Trophy |
| 64 | 2012 | To the Rescue! | Cal Poly Float 2012 | Cal Poly Rendering 2012 | 2012 Hi-Res | — | KTLA Favorite Float Award |
| 63 | 2011 | Galactic Expedition | Cal Poly Float 2011 | Cal Poly Rendering 2011 | 2011 Hi-Res | — | Fantasy Trophy / Viewers' Choice Award |
| 62 | 2010 | Jungle Cuts | Cal Poly Float 2010 | Cal Poly Rendering 2010 | 2010 Hi-Res | — | Bob Hope Humor Trophy / Viewers' Choice Award |
| 61 | 2009 | Seaside Amusement | Cal Poly Float 2009 | Cal Poly Rendering 2009 | 2009 Hi-Res | 2009 FOTW | Viewers' Choice Award |
| 60 | 2008 | Guardians of Harmony | Cal Poly Float 2008 | Cal Poly Rendering 2008 | 2008 Hi-Res | — | Fantasy Trophy |
| 59 | 2007 | Arctic Antics | Cal Poly Float 2007 | Cal Poly Rendering 2007 | 2007 Hi-Res | — | No award won |
| 58 | 2006 | Enchanted Reverie | Cal Poly Float 2006 | Cal Poly Rendering 2006 | 2006 Hi-Res | — | No award won |
| 57 | 2005 | Elefun Time | Cal Poly Float 2005 | Cal Poly Rendering 2005 | 2005 Hi-Res | — | No award won |
| 56 | 2004 | Bob's Barnacle Band | Cal Poly Float 2004 | Cal Poly Rendering 2004 | 2004 Hi-Res | 2004 FOTW | Founders' Trophy |
| 55 | 2003 | A Sundae Afternoon | Cal Poly Float 2003 | Cal Poly Rendering 2003 | 2003 Hi-Res | — | Theme Prize |
| 54 | 2002 | Birthday Blowout | Cal Poly Float 2002 | Cal Poly Rendering 2002 | 2002 Hi-Res | — | No award won |
| 53 | 2001 | A Grizzly Situation | Cal Poly Float 2001 | Cal Poly Rendering 2001 | 2001 Hi-Res | — | Founders' Trophy |
| 52 | 2000 | Stolen Time | Cal Poly Float 2000 | Cal Poly Rendering 2000 | 2000 Hi-Res | — | Humor Trophy |
| 51 | 1999 | Surfing the Net | Cal Poly Float 1999 | Cal Poly Rendering 1999 | 1999 Hi-Res | — | No award won |
| 50 | 1998 | Countryside Joyride | Cal Poly Float 1998 | Cal Poly Rendering 1998 | 1998 Hi-Res | 1998 FOTW | Founders' Trophy |
| 49 | 1997 | Catch of the Day | Cal Poly Float 1997 | Cal Poly Rendering 1997 | 1997 Hi-res | — | Founders' Trophy |
| 48 | 1996 | Thumbs Up | Cal Poly Float 1996 | Cal Poly Rendering 1996 | 1996 Hi-res | — | No award won |
| 47 | 1995 | Bending the Rules | Cal Poly Float 1995 | Cal Poly Rendering 1995 | 1995 Hi-res | — | No award won |
| 46 | 1994 | A Novel Adventure | Cal Poly Float 1994 | Cal Poly Rendering 1994 | 1994 Hi-res | — | No award won |
| 45 | 1993 | Hare Raising Fun | Cal Poly Float 1993 | Cal Poly Rendering 1993 | 1993 Hi-res | 1993 FOTW | No award won |
| 44 | 1992 | Squeaking By | Cal Poly Float 1992 | Cal Poly Rendering 1992 | 1992 Hi-res | — | No award won |
| 43 | 1991 | Tickle Attack | Cal Poly Float 1991 | Cal Poly Rendering 1991 | 1991 Hi-res | — | Humor Trophy |
| 42 | 1990 | Sound Waves | Cal Poly Float 1990 | Cal Poly Rendering 1990 | 1990 Hi-res | — | No award won |
| 41 | 1989 | Paradin' Around | Cal Poly Float 1989 | Cal Poly Rendering 1989 | 1989 Hi-Res | 1989 FOTW | Founders' Trophy |
| 40 | 1988 | Imagine That... | Cal Poly Float 1988 | Cal Poly Rendering 1988 | 1988 Hi-Res | - | Founders' Trophy |
| 39 | 1987 | Breaking the Ice | Cal Poly Float 1987 | Cal Poly Rendering 1987 | 1987 Hi-res | 1987 FOTW | No award won |
| 38 | 1986 | Bubble Trouble | Cal Poly Float 1986 | Cal Poly Rendering 1986 | 1986 Hi-res | — | Founders' Trophy |
| 37 | 1985 | Only in America | Cal Poly Float 1985 | Cal Poly Rendering 1985 | 1985 Hi-res | 1985 FOTW | No award won |
| 36 | 1984 | A Knight to Remember | Cal Poly Float 1984 | Cal Poly Rendering 1984 | 1984 Hi-res | — | No award won |
| 35 | 1983 | While the Cat's at Play | Cal Poly Float 1983 | Cal Poly Rendering 1983 | 1983 Hi-res | 1983 FOTW | Princess Award |
| 34 | 1982 | Way Out Welcome | Cal Poly Float 1982 | Cal Poly Rendering 1982 | 1982 Hi-res | — | Princess Award |
| 33 | 1981 | Snow Poke | Cal Poly Float 1981 | Cal Poly Rendering 1981 | 1981 Hi-res | 1981 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 32 | 1980 | Hard Rock | Cal Poly Float 1980 | Cal Poly Rendering 1980 | 1980 Hi-res | — | Founders' Trophy |
| 31 | 1979 | Cub O' War | Cal Poly Float 1979 | Cal Poly Rendering 1979 | 1979 Hi-res | — | Princess Award |
| 30 | 1978 | Grin And Bear It | Cal Poly Float 1978 | Cal Poly Rendering 1978 | 1978 Hi-res | — | 1st Class H |
| 29 | 1977 | Tons Of Fun | Cal Poly Float 1977 | Cal Poly Rendering 1977 | 1977 Hi-res | — | Princess Award |
| 28 | 1976 | High Hopes | Cal Poly Float 1976 | Cal Poly Rendering 1976 | 1976 Hi-res | 1976 FOTW | Founders' Trophy |
| 27 | 1975 | Building A Better Mousetrap | Cal Poly Float 1975 | Cal Poly Rendering 1975 | 1975 Hi-res | 1975 FOTW | Princess Award |
| 26 | 1974 | Happiness Is Finding A Friend | Cal Poly Float 1974 | Cal Poly Rendering 1974 | 1974 Hi-res | — | Theme Prize |
| 25 | 1973 | Monster Matinee | Cal Poly Float 1973 | Cal Poly Rendering 1973 | 1973 Hi-res | — | 1st Class H |
| 24 | 1972 | Swamp Rhythm | Cal Poly Float 1972 | Cal Poly Rendering 1972 | 1972 Hi-res | — | Mayor's Trophy |
| 23 | 1971 | Once Upon A Dream | Cal Poly Float 1971 | Cal Poly Rendering 1971 | 1971 Hi-res | — | Judges' Special |
| 22 | 1970 | That First Day Of Spring | Cal Poly Float 1970 | Cal Poly Rendering 1970 | 1970 Hi-res | 1970 FOTW | Princess Award |
| 21 | 1969 | The Good Ole Days | Cal Poly Float 1969 | Cal Poly Rendering 1969 | 1969 Hi-res | — | Princess Award |
| 20 | 1968 | The Mouse That Got Away | Cal Poly Float 1968 | Cal Poly Rendering 1968 | 1968 Hi-res | 1968 FOTW | Princess Award |
| 19 | 1967 | A Child's Fantasy | Cal Poly Float 1967 | Cal Poly Rendering 1967 | 1967 Hi-res | 1967 FOTW | Mayor's Trophy |
| 18 | 1966 | It's A Child's World | Cal Poly Float 1966 | Cal Poly Rendering 1966 | 1966 Hi-res | 1966 FOTW | Judges' Special |
| 17 | 1965 | Good News Travels Fast | Cal Poly Float 1965 | Cal Poly Rendering 1965 | 1965 Hi-res | 1965 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 16 | 1964 | Cutting The Apron Strings | Cal Poly Float 1964 | Cal Poly Rendering 1964 | 1964 Hi-res | 1964 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 15 | 1963 | A Young Man's Fancy | Cal Poly Float 1963 | Cal Poly Rendering 1963 | 1963 Hi-res | 1963 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 14 | 1962 | Man On The Moon | Cal Poly Float 1962 | Cal Poly Rendering 1962 | 1962 Hi-res | 1962 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 13 | 1961 | Slow Boat To China | Cal Poly Float 1961 | Cal Poly Rendering 1961 | 1961 Hi-res | 1961 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 12 | 1960 | Special Delivery | Cal Poly Float 1960 | Cal Poly Rendering 1960 | 1960 Hi-res | 1960 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 11 | 1959 | Georgie's Dream (St. George And The Dragon) | Cal Poly Float 1959 | Cal Poly Rendering 1959 | 1959 Hi-res | 1959 FOTW | Theme Prize |
| 10 | 1958 | Summer Daze | Cal Poly Float 1958 | Cal Poly Rendering 1958 | 1958 Hi-res | 1958 FOTW | 2nd Class H |
| 9 | 1957 | Which Was First - The Chicken or the Egg? | Cal Poly Float 1957 | Cal Poly Rendering 1957 | 1957 Hi-res | 1957 FOTW | Theme Prize |
| 8 | 1956 | Steps To Peace | Cal Poly Float 1956 | Cal Poly Rendering 1956 | 1956 Hi-res | 1956 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 7 | 1955 | The Sky's The Limit | Cal Poly Float 1955 | Cal Poly Rendering 1955 | 1955 Hi-res | 1955 FOTW | 2nd Class H |
| 6 | 1954 | Gulliver's Travels | Cal Poly Float 1954 | Cal Poly Rendering 1954 | 1954 Hi-res | 1954 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 5 | 1953 | Mission Bells | Cal Poly Float 1953 | — | 1953 Hi-res | 1953 FOTW | 3rd Class H |
| 4 | 1952 | A Free World Thru Education | Cal Poly Float 1952 | Cal Poly Rendering 1952 | 1952 Hi-res | 1952 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 3 | 1951 | College Barn Dance | Cal Poly Float 1951 | Cal Poly Rendering 1951 | 1951 Hi-res | 1951 FOTW | 1st Class H |
| 2 | 1950 | New Frontiers | Cal Poly Float 1950 | — | 1950 Hi-res | 1950 FOTW | 3rd Class H |
| 1 | 1949 | Rocking Horse | Cal Poly Float 1949 | — | 1949 Hi-res | 1949 FOTW | Award of Merit |

## Awards

Since 1949 the floats have won 62 trophies (over 81.5% winning rate).
| Trophy | Trophy Description | Wins | Winning Years |
| Animation | Best Display of Animation (1984 to present) | 1 | 2022 |
| Award of Merit | Depicting the highest level of Merit | 1 | 1949 |
| Bob Hope Humor Trophy & Humor Trophy | Most comical and amusing, Best display of Humor | 4 | 1991, 2000, 2010, 2013 |
| Crown City Innovation Trophy | Best Use of Imagination & Innovation to Advance the Art of Float Design | 2 | 2014, 2024 |
| Director Trophy | Most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials | 1 | 2020 |
| Extraordinaire Award | Most Extraordinary Float on the Parade, Including Those Longer than 55' Long. | 2 | 2019, 2023 |
| Fantasy Trophy | Most Outstanding Display of Fantasy & Imagination | 2 | 2008, 2011 |
| Founder's Trophy | Most outstanding self-decorated entry. | 10 | 1976, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2017 |
| Judges' Special | Most Spectacular in Showmanship & Dramatic Impact | 2 | 1966, 1971 |
| Lathrop K. Leishman / Leishman Public Spirit | Most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant | 3 | 2015, 2016, 2025 |
| Mayor's Trophy | Best display of Originality | 2 | 1967, 1972 |
| Past President | Most outstanding innovation in use of floral and non-floral materials | 1 | 2018 |
| Princess Award | Best Display of Animation (until 1984) | 8 | 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983 |
| Theme Prize | Most fitting presentation of theme | 4 | 1957, 1959, 1974, 2003 |
| Viewers' Choice Trophy & KTLA Favorite Float Award | Viewers favorite Rose Parade float poll (KTLA) | 4 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| 1st Class H | 1st Place - Educational division | 13 | 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1981 |
| 2nd Class H | 2nd Place - Educational division | 2 | 1955, 1958 |
| 3rd Class H | 3rd Place - Educational division | 2 | 1950, 1953 |
| 4th Class H | 4th Place - Educational division | 0 | |