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.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Brooke and Collin first became involved with Cal Poly Universities Rose Float;

• How each of them developed their specific creative talents and gifts as a result of working on the floats;

• Some of the ways they did troubleshooting in the past, as co-hydraulics leads;

• One particular issue they found “frustrating but fun”, as their team navigated a construction challenge;

• What it’s like to operate a Rose Parade® float on New Year’s Day;

• The story of Cal Poly Universities Rose Float’s 2025 design, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”;

• How the teams from the two universities collaborate;

• One major logistics problem they’ve been working on solving, for “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”;

• Some of the considerations involved in decorating the float;

• A look at some of the past innovations which the Cal Poly Universities entries have introduced to the Rose Parade® (and a hint at what we may see on their float in the 136th Rose Parade® on New Year’s Day, 2025!);

• What Brooke, a mechanical-engineering major, will enjoy most about the decorating process;

• What’s planned for the animation;

• Where to see the team’s progress on their social media;

• The next milestones to be completed;

• How to support the students as they create Cal Poly Universities’ Rose Float’s 76th float, “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs”.