Cal Poly float wins prime award in Rose Parade

The Cal Poly Universities float took prime honors within the 137th Rose Parade on Thursday, successful the Sweepstakes Award for “most stunning entry.”

The float is a joint effort by college students at Cal Poly campuses in San Luis Obispo and Pomona. It’s the solely float within the parade designed and constructed by college students.

The Cal Poly float, referred to as “Jungle Jumpstart,” featured a 40-foot robotic, depicted as mendacity with accidents on the rainforest ground. It’s surrounded by colourful animals who’re repairing the robotic because it holds a crimson, yellow and blue parrot in its outstretched hand.

In honor of this yr’s parade theme, “The Magic in Teamwork,” the float showcased “the dynamics between nature and expertise by way of the story of rainforest denizens coming collectively to revive a robotic buddy with what they know finest — the jungle!” Cal Poly stated in a information launch.

“Our jungle engineers — a frog, a monkey, a jaguar and lemurs — work across the robotic to deliver it again to life,” Aubrey Goings, president of the parade crew at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, stated within the assertion. “They even incorporate fallen branches and crops into their repairs, symbolizing their acceptance of the robotic into their ecosystem. A toucan, standing proudly atop a tree stump, is targeted on the antenna of the robotic, whereas additionally ensuring the whole lot beneath goes easily.

“With some inspiring teamwork, the robotic sparkles alive. In thanks, the robotic lifts a vibrant macaw skyward, serving to it take flight,” she added.

This yr’s entry was Cal Poly’s 77th Rose Parade float.

The Event of Roses awarded official honors to 2 dozen floats. The awards and their sponsors are as follows:

— Americana Award: Journey South Dakota

— Animation Award: Kindness is Free, powered by Boys & Women Golf equipment of the West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside

— Bob Hope Humor Award: Metropolis of Alhambra

— Crown Metropolis Innovator: “Shrinking” (Apple TV and Warner Bros. Tv Manufacturing)

— Director’s Award: The UPS Retailer

— Extraordinaire Award: San Francisco Journey Assn.

— Fantasy Award: California Group Basis and Black Freedom Fund (Creative Leisure Providers)

— Founder’s Award: Downey Rose Float Assn.

— Golden State Award: Odd Fellows & Rebekahs

— Grand Marshal Award: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance