When Pasadena's 137th Tournament of Roses® Parade happens on New Year's Day, the students of Cal Poly Universities will be upholding a long-standing New Year's Day tradition.

However,they'll also be showcasing cutting-edge innovation, as their 77th Rose Parade®float, "Jungle Jumpstart', goes by.

This particular float is both a whimsical story, in accordance with the 2026 parade theme, "The Magic in Teamwork", and a reflection of the various skills and talents of the students on two separate campuses.

Unique to the parade

Since 1949, Cal Poly Universities students have built and entered a float in the Rose Parade®. Not only is theirs the only student-built entry--their organization is one of only six noncommercial groups, or "self-builts", participating in the parade.

Cal Poly Universities' float's chassis is created by students on the Pomona and San Luis Obispo campus. Then, in October, the San Luis Obispo team drive their half down to the Pomona campus, where the two halves are joined.

And from there, the two teams work as one.

Because the students are learning by doing, their freedom to experiment often results in some unprecedented innovations.

A 1968 hydraulic-powered animation system and a 2017 engineering system which changed colors of flowers, are among their inventions.

And on New Year's Day 2026, parade viewers will again get to see some unprecedented technological use, on "Jungle Jumpstart"!

Introducing: 2026

Aubrey Goings is President of Cal Poly Rose Float, San Luis Obispo, and Amelia Atwell is President of Cal Poly Rose Float, Pomona. Both Aubrey and Amelia are architecture students, using their passion for design to create something magical.

Aubrey and Amelia talked about their experiences with Cal Poly Rose Float, their work so far on "Jungle Jumpstart" and the lessons they've learned from their experience.

(Would you like to support the Cal Poly Universities students as they craft "Jungle Jumpstart"? Here are links to their Amazon wish lists, for both decorations and operations!)

A Tradition of Innovation