Cal Poly Rose Float team to load 2026 float for transport to Pomona
– Cal Poly Rose Float students will load their half of the 2026 Tournament of Roses entry onto a tractor-trailer Thursday, Oct. 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the campus Rose Float Lab for transport to California State Polytechnic University in Pomona.
The move marks the next step in the collaborative effort between the two Cal Poly universities to construct their 77th Rose Parade float. Once in Pomona, the two halves of the float will be joined and completed over the next 12 weeks.
The 2026 float, titled “Jungle Jumpstart,” depicts rainforest creatures coming together to restore a robot using the natural elements of their environment. The design aligns with the parade’s theme, “The Magic in Teamwork.”
“The theme for the parade this year, ‘The Magic in Teamwork,’ presents a very exciting challenge for our team,” said Aubrey Goings, president of the Cal Poly team. “When this theme was announced, we immediately related to it, as it perfectly describes what we do each year: come together across campuses to design and fabricate something magical.”
The Cal Poly universities have collaborated on Rose Parade floats since 1948, producing the only student-built entry in the parade. Their first float, built in 90 days for $258, earned the 1949 Award of Merit. Since then, the teams have received 62 additional awards, including the Leishman Public Spirit Award for “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs” at the 2025 Rose Parade.
Design responsibilities are split between the campuses. Pomona constructs the front section, known as the pod, while San Luis Obispo students build the rear chassis containing the drive engine and hydraulics. After unification, welded elements are attached, mechanical systems tested, and polyurethane foam applied for decoration.
Key project dates include Float Unification on Oct. 11, Design Week from Dec. 13–19, Move-Out to Pasadena on Dec. 19, Deco Week from Dec. 26–31, and Final Judging and the 2026 Rose Parade on Jan. 1.
The Cal Poly Rose Float Lab is located in Building 50L at Parking Lot H-1, accessible from Highland Drive via Mount Bishop Road. For more information, visit https://ucm.calpoly.edu/news/animal-engineers-and-huge-robot-highlight-cal-poly-universities-2026-rose-float-design-0.
