2026 Rose Parade Float Award Winners Announced

Cal Poly Universities Win Top Honors at the 137th Rose Parade

In a standout display of creativity and teamwork, Cal Poly Universities have been awarded the Sweepstakes Award for their "Jungle Jumpstart" float at the 137th Rose Parade. The float, crafted by students from Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, showcases a vibrant scene featuring rainforest animals collaborating to restore an old robot. Decorated with 21,000 flowers and materials such as ground coffee beans, curly willow, and walnut shells, the float exemplifies this year’s theme: "The Magic in Teamwork."

The Sweepstakes Award has celebrated the most beautiful entry in the Rose Parade since its inception in 1924, recognizing exceptional float design, floral presentation, and entertainment value.

This year’s competition included numerous exemplary entries across various categories:

• Travel South Dakota: Carved in Stone; A Legacy of Teamwork – Americana Award for most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions.
• Kindness is Free, Powered by Boys & Girls Clubs of the West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside: Building Kinder Communities – Animation Award for most outstanding use of animation.
• City of Alhambra: Bee Magical Together – Bob Hope Humor Award for the most whimsical and amusing float.
• "Shrinking" (Apple TV and Warner Bros. Television Production): We’re Getting There. Together – Crown City Innovator Award for imaginative use of innovation and technology.
• The UPS Store: Sharing Skills for Success – Director’s Award for exceptional artistic design and floral materials.

Additional awards included:

• San Francisco Travel Association: Believe in San Francisco – Extraordinaire Award for exceptional float design.
• California Community Foundation and Black Freedom Fund: Rising Together – Fantasy Award for outstanding displays of fantasy and imagination.
• Downey Rose Float Association: The Glow of Achievement – Founder’s Award for outstanding volunteer-built float.
• Odd Fellows & Rebekahs: Together We Grow – Golden State Award for depicting life in California.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Giant Strides Together – Grand Marshal Award for creative concept.

Other notable entries include:

• Elks U.S.A.: Elks Care, Elks Share – Isabella Coleman Award for outstanding presentation of color.
• Sierra Madre Rose Float Association: Pancake Breakfast – Judges Award for impact and design.
• America250: Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years – Leishman Public Spirit Award for floral presentation.
• City of South Pasadena: The Great Picnic Heist! – Past President’s Award for innovative use of materials.
• OneLegacy Donate Life: Treasure Every Moment Together – President’s Award for floral presentation.

Awards continued with recognition for community and city floats, including the Princess Award going to the City of Torrance for floral presentation among smaller entries, and the Queen’s Award to the City of Santa Fe Springs for outstanding rose presentation.

The parade once again highlighted the spirit of collaboration and creativity, with each float telling its own story through the artistry of flowers and design.