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[1] 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.[2] This tradition continues today and marks the partnership between the two campuses.

Cal Poly Universities Rose Float Logo
Cal Poly Universities Rose Float Logo

Road & Track magazine did a road test of the Cal Poly Universities Rose Float as part of their annual April issue of unusual vehicles.[3]

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

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List of Cal Poly Rose Floats

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Entry # Year Title Photo[4] Rendering[4] Hi-res Video[4] Float Of The Week[4] Award[5]
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 [6]
67 2015 Soaring Stories Cal Poly Float 2015 Cal Poly Rendering 2015 2015 Hi-Res 2015 FOTW Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy [7]
66 2014 Bedtime Buccaneers Cal Poly Float 2014 Cal Poly Rendering 2014 2014 Hi-Res 2014 FOTW Crown City Innovation Trophy [8]
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[9]
62 2010 Jungle Cuts Cal Poly Float 2010 Cal Poly Rendering 2010 2010 Hi-Res Bob Hope Humor Trophy /
Viewers' Choice Award[10]
61 2009 Seaside Amusement Cal Poly Float 2009 Cal Poly Rendering 2009 2009 Hi-Res 2009 FOTW Viewers' Choice Award[11]
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

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Since 1949 the floats have won 62 trophies (over 83% winning rate). [5]

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 Trophy Most beautiful non-commercial float 2 2015, 2016
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

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ahrens, Ronald (December 25, 2011). "Even Parade Floats Aren't Exempt From Regulations". The New York Times. p. AU12. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-04-04. Retrieved 2008-11-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Cal Poly Rose Parade Float: Answer to the transportation requirements of the future". Road & Track: 123. April 1975.
  4. ^ a b c d "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2015-10-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-11-04. Retrieved 2015-10-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "2016 Float Awards Announcement | Tournament of Roses". Archived from the original on 2016-01-03. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-01-01. Retrieved 2015-01-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "Awards List For 2014 Tournament Of Roses Parade". January 1, 2014.
  9. ^ [1] [permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "2010 Rose Parade float winners announced - Pasadena Star-News". Archived from the original on 2010-01-04. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
  11. ^ "Viewer's Choice Trophy Poll - the 120th Tournament of Roses Parade". Archived from the original on 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
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