The 2025 Rose Parade recognized excellence in floral artistry and float design, awarding the prestigious Sweepstakes Award to Cal Poly Universities on January 1, 2025. This award, which celebrates the most beautiful entry, marks a significant achievement as it is the first time Cal Poly has received this honor, contributing to the university’s legacy in parade participation.
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced a total of 23 official awards, showcasing exceptional creativity across various categories. Each of these awards highlights the artistry and dedication of the participating organizations, with Cal Poly’s float standing out for its design, floral presentation, and entertainment value.
Among other notable awards, the Crown City Innovator award, which recognizes outstanding use of imagination and technology, went to Shrinking, a collaboration between Apple TV and Warner Bros. Television. The Americana award was given to the float from South Dakota, celebrating national treasures and traditions. Other categories included Fantasy, Showmanship, and President, each reflecting the diverse themes and presentations of the floats.
The Sweepstakes Trophy remains the most coveted accolade among participants. It signifies not only aesthetic appeal but also the creative spirit brought forth by the builders and designers. This year, the float judges comprised a distinguished panel, including Cathy Hillen-Rulloda, a certified floral judge, Doris Hardoon, a former executive at Disney, and Chaz Perea, a horticulture professor and landscape manager at Dodger Stadium. Their expertise ensured a rigorous selection process.
Hillen-Rulloda, returning to the Rose Parade on the 50th anniversary of her participation with the St. Albans, West Virginia high school marching band, expressed her excitement about the event. Hardoon’s background includes significant contributions to the design of EPCOT and Shanghai Disney Resort, while Perea has transformed the Dodger Stadium grounds into the first U.S. sports arena accredited as a botanic garden.
The Rose Parade continues to be a platform where creativity and community spirit flourish. This year’s winners exemplify the dedication of those involved in creating floats that are not only visually stunning but also resonate with themes of culture and community. The hard work put into these floats demonstrates the passion of volunteers and organizations across the nation.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 Rose Parade, which promises to be equally spectacular, the accomplishments of this year set a high standard for future entries. The celebration of creativity and community through the art of float design is what makes the Rose Parade a cherished event for participants and spectators alike.
