Each January, Cal Poly has looked forward to seeing students’ creativity in full bloom with the university’s annual float in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Learn by Doing has brought the float to life every year since the inaugural rocking horse design debuted in 1949. The enduring partnership between Cal Poly and Cal Poly Pomona represents the first and only student-made float in the parade.
With the 2021 parade canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cal Poly Magazine decided to stroll down memory lane, which in this case is Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard, to bask in the petal-laden creations that helped usher in each new year. We chose 10 of our favorites featuring bold designs, cuddly characters and brilliant technology that delighted spectators in person and on TV. Now it’s your turn: vote for your favorite Cal Poly Rose Floats below.
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2019’s “Far Out Frequencies” -
2016’s “Sweet Shenanigans” -
2002’s “Birthday Blowout” -
1995’s “Bending the Rules” -
1992’s “Squeaking By” -
1987’s “Breaking the Ice” -
1982’s “Way Out Welcome” -
1972’s “Swamp Rhythm” -
1967’s “A Child’s Fantasy” -
1966’s “It’s a Child’s World” -
1955’s “The Sky’s the Limit” -
1949’s “Rocking Horse”
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