The 137th Rose Parade: Celebrating Teamwork with Stunning Floats

The 137th Rose Parade, held on New Year’s Day, was a spectacular showcase of creativity and floral artistry, honoring the theme “The Magic in Teamwork.” Among the breathtaking floats, Cal Poly Universities earned the prestigious Sweepstakes Award for their “Jungle Jumpstart” float—a unique creation solely designed and built by students from both Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Highlights of the Rose Parade

“Jungle Jumpstart” Takes Center Stage

The standout float, “Jungle Jumpstart,” featured a vibrant display of rainforest animals collaborating to restore a huge old robot. With an impressive total of 21,000 flowers complemented by materials such as ground coffee beans, curly willow, and walnut shells, this float perfectly embodied the essence of teamwork.

Awards and Recognitions

The Sweepstakes Award, presented since 1924, honors the most beautiful float in terms of design and floral presentation. Here are some notable awards from this year:

Special Awards and their Recipients

• Americana Award: Awarded to Travel South Dakota for “Carved in Stone; A Legacy of Teamwork,” celebrating national treasures.

• Animation Award: The float “Kindness is Free, Powered by Boys & Girls Clubs” was recognized for its imaginative use of animation.

• Bob Hope Humor Award: City of Alhambra’s float, “Bee Magical Together,” received accolades for its whimsical design.

• Grand Marshal Award: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance was recognized for “Giant Strides Together,” emphasizing creative concept.

• Fantasy Award: The float “Rising Together” from the California Community Foundation honored wildfire victims with a dramatic phoenix scene.

More Award-Winning Floats

Additional awards included:

• Director’s Award: The UPS Store’s “Sharing Skills for Success,” showcasing outstanding artistic design.

• Extraordinaire Award: San Francisco Travel Association for their imaginative float “Believe In San Francisco.”

• Founder’s Award: Downey Rose Float Association’s “The Glow of Achievement,” highlighting community volunteer efforts.

The Parade Experience

The Rose Parade is not just about the floats; it’s an event featuring equestrian units, marching bands, and a festive atmosphere along the 5.5-mile route in Pasadena, California. Despite inclement weather, the celebration went on, drawing large crowds eager to partake in this New Year tradition.

Engaging the Community

Floats from various organizations highlighted different aspects of community life and culture, including:

• Elks U.S.A. with “Elks Care, Elks Share,” showcasing floral color harmony.
• OneLegacy Donate Life with “Treasure Every Moment Together,” emphasizing the beauty of life through floral presentations.

Final Thoughts

This year’s Rose Parade was a captivating tribute to the spirit of teamwork and community. As the floats rolled down Colorado Boulevard, they not only showcased artistic brilliance but also emphasized important social themes and the power of collaboration.

For more about the parade, including details about different floats, visit NBC Los Angeles and explore the highlights and breathtaking designs that made the 137th Rose Parade an unforgettable experience.