Design Contest Opens for 2026 Cal Poly Rose Float
Have you ever wanted to see your work highlighted on international television? This is your chance! Cal Poly Rose Float is currently accepting submissions for the 2026 Rose Float Concept Contest. The deadline to submit entries is Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. The competition is open to the public.
This will be the 77th float entry for the famous parade built by students from Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The winning design concept will cruise down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, as part of the 137th Rose Parade which will be held on Jan. 1, 2026. The winner will have their choice between two tickets to the 2026 Rose Parade or a $500 cash prize.
The 2026 theme will not be released until Feb. 4, however to encourage early float concept submissions, the Tournament of Roses released a sneak peek video and offers this hint:
“The 2026 theme will celebrate the special bond that happens when people come together to work toward a common goal. It will honor everyday collaborations achieved by people of all ages, from groups that have worked together for many years to newly formed alliances. We will salute the synergy and cohesion present in schools and professional environments, where working together may seem like a daily routine but those collaborations can produce remarkable results.”
Submissions may be in color or black and white, no larger than 11-by-17-inches, and include the applicant’s name, phone number, and email. They should only have been submitted to Cal Poly Rose Float and will become property of such once received. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual can submit. Email completed submissions to calpolyrosefloat1949@gmail.com with the subject line “2026 Concept.”
Students on the Rose Float leadership team from both Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo will review the submissions and vote on the winning concept, which will provide the basis for the 2025 final design.
The Cal Poly Rose Float is the only student-built float in the Rose Parade and the students have won 63 awards over the years for their fantastic floats. Their 2025 parade entry, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs” which featured a Loch Ness monster playing with newfound animal friends, won the Leishman Public Spirit Award for most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant.
For questions or more information about the contest, contact:
- Cary Khatab at (909) 869-3204 or at kkhatab@cpp.edu
- Josh D’Acquisto at (805) 756-1182 or at jdacquis@calpoly.edu
Follow the Rose Float Facebook, Rose Float Instagram, and Rose Float Twitter for news and contest updates. Happy designing!