The float titled “Far Out Frequencies” will head down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena New Year’s Day during the Tournament of Roses Parade, now in its 130th year.
The float, Cal Poly’s 71st entry into the parade, features a pair of astronauts and other animated alien friends on another planet communicating through music to go along with the parade’s theme, “The Melody of Life.”
Cal Poly students are amazing! The Float is almost completed! Amazing progress since yesterday! Cal Poly Proud and CA Grown! Watch for us early tomorrow! @CPRoseFloat pic.twitter.com/4vl69jjkyL
— Jeffrey D. Armstrong (@CPPrezArmstrong) December 31, 2018
This year’s design was chosen by the Cal Poly Rose Float team from among 150 entries.
Students and community volunteers have been in Pasadena for the last week working to cover the float with flowers, about 90 percent of which are grown in California.
Our Far Out Frequencies #rosefloat is coming together. Thank you to all of our volunteers! @CPRoseFloat @RoseParade pic.twitter.com/hXqZyoGvEy
— Cal Poly Pomona (@calpolypomona) December 31, 2018
Look for the float, one of 44 in the parade, adorned with 7,000 roses, 7,200 Gerbera daisies, 3,200 irises, 200 red cabbages along with white cushion mums and button mums, according to Cal Poly.
Cal Poly has earned 57 awards with its entries, “including the 2018 Past President award honoring the most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials.”
Judges were out inspecting this year’s float Saturday afternoon. The winners have not yet been announced.
Nearly 100 students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Pomona worked together on the self-built float. Work started on the float in San Luis Obispo in July before it headed to Pomona in mid-October.
The parade will air on KSBY Tuesday beginning at 8 a.m.
