This project will be launching soon.
Send Cal Poly Rose Float to the Pasadena Rose Parade!
A generous donor has pledged $10,000 to the Cal Poly Rose Float once we have hit our goal of $10,000— so make a gift today to help us reach our goal and unlock this amazing gift!
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The Cal Poly Rose Float team is raising funds to help offset travel costs and allow more students the opportunity to participate in this quintessential Learn by Doing experience. Each year, Cal Poly's Rose Float is seen by more than 50 million viewers who tune into the Rose Parade, and it showcases the talent of Cal Poly's amazing students. New Year's Day 2026 is fast approaching, so help make a difference and continue this long-standing Learn by Doing tradition by donating today!
“Cal Poly Rose Float is more than a parade float building program; it is a place for students to find themselves, a community, and opportunities to lead together. We constantly learn and grow with each other, and, above all, dream big. Rose Float gives us the opportunity to put our dreams together and create something unique and magical that we share with the world. This program is a special place where students with a wide variety of skills and disciplines have the chance to create something remarkable together. It is always so exciting to see the confidence with which our team of students comes up with integrative designs that awe parade-enjoyers and professionals alike.”
— Aubrey Goings, President of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Rose Float
The Cal Poly Rose Float program stands as one of the longest continuously running, self-built entries in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and is the only float in the parade designed, engineered, and constructed entirely by students. Cal Poly students lead every aspect of this year-round process—from concept and design to fabrication, decoration, and operations—upholding professional standards that rival industry experts and pushing the boundaries of float building. Competing directly against professional float builders with budgets approaching $1 million, this student team demonstrates extraordinary creativity, technical skill, and leadership. Their work is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide as they ring in the new year.
Learn more about the upcoming 2026 Rose Float!
“We have more students who are interested and would like to be a part of the Rose Float Program than we can accommodate. Right now, we have the demand, we get the sign-ups, but we have to limit how many students can participate.”
— Josh D’Acquisto, Cal Poly staff coordinator for the Rose Float team
Since 1949, the Cal Poly Rose Float program has continuously designed, built, financed, decorated, and operated its float entries, earning a remarkable 63 awards over its 77-year history. This legacy of innovation and student leadership continues to exemplify the spirit of “Learn by Doing” at its highest level. Make a gift today to support this amazing tradition here at Cal Poly!
Read more about how your gift to Rose Float makes an impact!
$25
Lab Day Meals
Provide a meal for a student on a Rose Float Lab Day, which happens 34 times per year.
$50
Tank of Gas
Cover the cost of a tank of gas for students traveling down to Southern California to complete the float.
$75
Rose Float Coveralls
Cover the cost of the iconic, flame-retardant coveralls for a student on the Rose Float team.
$150
Colorado Boulevard
Pay for one student to watch the parade down Colorado Boulevard and see all their hard work on display.
$250
Hotel Stay
Cover the cost of one room for a night at a hotel for the Rose Float team to stay in Pasadena for Decorations Week and the Rose Parade (December 26th – January 1st)
$500
Decorative Elements
Help cover the cost of construction materials for decorative elements on the float.
$1,000
Decorations Week Meals
Provide Lunch and Dinner for all students for one day of Decorations Week.
$2,000
Team Travel
Cover the cost of a trip to Pasadena/Pomona. Students on the Cal Poly Rose Float team travel to Southern California over 20 times a year!
