Cal Poly seeks designs for 2026 Rose Parade float
Cal Poly Universities’ “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs” float, depicting Scotland’s most camera-averse underwater mystic on its best day, earned the Leishman Public Spirit Award at the 136th Rose Parade® held New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. Photo by Tom Zasadzinski, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Rose Parade float submissions due Feb. 5
– The Cal Poly Rose Float team is accepting design concept submissions for its 2026 Rose Parade entry. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
There is no limit to the number of submissions an individual may enter. The design concepts will be reviewed and voted on by a leadership team of approximately 60 students, equally split between California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and California State Polytechnic University in Pomona.
The winning concept will serve as the basis for the float design, which will appear in the 137th Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2026. The float will travel the 5.5-mile parade route in Pasadena, where it will be viewed by an estimated 700,000 attendees and a global television audience.
The Cal Poly Rose Float is the only student-built float in the parade and has participated for 77 consecutive years. The float created for the 2024 Rose Parade, titled “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs,” earned the Leishman Public Spirit Award.
The individual who submits the winning concept for the 2026 entry will receive $500 or two tickets to the 2026 Rose Bowl football game.
The theme for the 2026 Rose Parade will be announced on Feb. 4. In a preview, the Tournament of Roses stated that the theme will celebrate collaboration and the results achieved when people work toward a common goal.
If that’s not reward enough, the winner will also have a choice between $500 or a pair of tickets to the 2026 Rose Parade®.
Submissions must be emailed to calpolyrosefloat1949@gmail.com with the subject line “2026 Concept.” Designs may be in color or black and white and must not exceed 11 by 17 inches. Each submission must include the applicant’s name, phone number, and email address. Once submitted, designs become the property of the Cal Poly Rose Float team.
For questions, contact Josh D’Acquisto at jdacquis@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-1182, or Cary Khatab at kkhatab@cpp.edu or (909) 869-3204.
Updates about the contest are available on the Cal Poly Rose Float team’s Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts.
About Cal Poly
California Polytechnic State University is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California. Known for its Learn by Doing philosophy, the university enrolls more than 22,000 students annually, offering programs in engineering, agriculture, business, humanities, and more. Additional information is available at www.calpoly.edu.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that organizes the annual Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game, and related events. For more information, visit tournamentofroses.com.
