At a Glance
- Cal Poly Pomona & San Luis Obispo float wins 137th Rose Parade Sweepstakes Award
- 21,000 flowers and unique materials like coffee beans, willow, walnut shells
- Theme: “The Magic in Teamwork” highlights collaboration
- Why it matters: The award showcases student creativity and teamwork, inspiring communities across the region
The 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena celebrated teamwork with a dazzling display of floral artistry, as students from Cal Poly Pomona and San Luis Obispo captured the coveted Sweepstakes Award with their “Jungle Jumpstart” float.
The Sweepstakes Award, presented at every parade since 1924, honors the most beautiful entry, encompassing float design, floral presentation, and entertainment.
Winning Float
The float, crafted by Cal Poly students, features rainforest animals repairing an old robot, using 21,000 flowers, ground coffee beans, curly willow, and walnut shells. This design exemplifies the parade’s theme, “The Magic in Teamwork,” and earned the most beautiful entry honor.
Other Award Winners
The parade presented a full slate of awards across categories, from artistic design to humor. The table lists each category and its recipient.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Carved in Stone; A Legacy of Teamwork Americana Award | Travel South Dakota |
| Animation Award | Kindness is Free, Powered by Boys & Girls Clubs of the West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside |
| Bob Hope Humor Award | City of Alhambra: Bee Magical Together |
| Crown City Innovator | “Shrinking” (Apple TV and Warner Bros. Television Production): We’re Getting There. Together |
| Director’s Award | The UPS Store: Sharing Skills for Success |
| Extraordinaire Award | San Francisco Travel Association: Believe In San Francisco |
| Fantasy Award | California Community Foundation and Black Freedom Fund (Artistic Entertainment Services): Rising Together |
| Founder’s Award | Downey Rose Float Association: The Glow of Achievement |
| Golden State Award | Odd Fellows & Rebekahs: Together We Grow |
| Grand Marshal Award | San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Giant Strides Together |
| International Award | (no award specified) |
| Isabella Coleman Award | Elks U.S.A.: Elks Care, Elks Share |
| Judges Award | Sierra Madre Rose Float Association: Pancake Breakfast |
| Public Spirit Award | America250: Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years |
| Mayor’s Award | La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association: Goin’ Nutz |
| Past President’s Award | City of South Pasadena: The Great Picnic Heist! |
| President’s Award | OneLegacy Donate Life: Treasure Every Moment Together |
| Princess Award | City of Torrance: Together In Harmony |
| Queen’s Award | City of Santa Fe Springs: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring the Future! |
| Showmanship Award | Shriners Children’s: Building Dreams Together |
| Theme Award | City of Burbank: All Paws On Deck |
| Tournament Volunteer Award | Lions International: In Harmony We Serve |
| Wrigley Legacy Award | Trader Joe’s: You Float Our Boat! |
Key Takeaways
- Cal Poly Pomona & San Luis Obispo win the Sweepstakes Award for the 137th Rose Parade.
- The float used 21,000 flowers and innovative materials to illustrate teamwork.
- The parade highlighted a wide array of awards, celebrating artistic, humorous, and imaginative entries.
The parade’s awards showcase the diverse talents of participants, and Cal Poly’s sweepstakes win underscores the power of collaborative creativity.
