The Cal Poly Universities Rose Float is a joint entry of a rose float into the

Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, created by the efforts of Charles Frederick Holder and Francis F. Rowland, is the non-profit organization that has annually produced the Rose Parade on New Year's Day since 1890 and the Rose Bowl since ...

's annual

Rose Parade The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses Parade (or simply the Tournament of Roses), is an annual parade held mostly along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, United States, on New Year's Day (or on Monday, January 2 if New ...

by both

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or Cal Poly) is a public university in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, - Cites the location of the university and shows that the university ...

and

Cal Poly Pomona California State Polytechnic University Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) is a public polytechnic research university in Pomona, California, United States. It is the largest of the three polytechnic universities in the California State University syst ...

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 ''Road & Track'' (stylized as ''R&T'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published 1947. It is owned by Hearst Magazines and is published six times per year. The editorial offices are located in New York City. History ''Road ...

'' 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 John Earl Madden (April 10, 1936 – December 28, 2021) was an American professional football coach and sports commentator in the National Football League (NFL). He served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, leading them ...

, 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

Awards

Since 1949 the floats have won 62 trophies (over 81.5% winning rate).

References

External links

Cal Poly Pomona Rose Float

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Rose Float

Unofficial Documentary YouTube Site
{{California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Cal Poly Universities Tournament of Roses Parade Float California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Cal Poly Pomona student life Culture of Pomona, California California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo County, California Organizations based in Pomona, California

History

List of Cal Poly Rose Floats

Awards

See also

References

External links