In 1949, a group of students decided to build their own float and participate in Pasadena's Tournament of Roses® Parade.

Ever since, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float have been coming up with new ways to wow parade goers--and winning awards for their work.

As one of only six independent noncommercial floatbuilders, called "self-builts", in the parade, Cal Poly Universities' entry is unique for several reasons.

First of all, they're the only student-built float in the Rose Parade®,

Secondly, the float, built from the frame up, is constructed by two student groups. At the start of the building process, these groups are working from campuses more than two hundred miles apart!

Two teams become one

Annually, the students at Cal Poly Pomona build the front half of their float's chassis, while the students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo build the back half.

Then, in October, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students bring their half down to the Pomona campus. The two halves are joined--and from then on, the groups work as one, crafting their Rose Parade® entry.

So far, the Cal Poly Universities students' entries have won more than 60 awards--which brings up the third reason their float is unique.

As students, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float participants have room to "play" and experiment with new methods and technologies.

And frequently, the results are Rose Parade® "firsts".

Brooke Handschin is President of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float in Pomona, while Collin Marfia is President of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float, San Luis Obispo.

Brooke and Collin talked about their experiences with Cal Poly Universities Rose Float, what it's like to create and drive their innovative entries and, of course, Cal Poly Universities Rose Float's 2025 entry, "Nessie's Lakeside Laughs", which will be their 76th Rose Parade® float.