WINNER 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade: South Pasadena Rose Parade Float Wins the ‘Past President Award’ on a historic, rare, rainy new years day with hundreds of thousands in attendance on the parade route in Pasadena.
Today, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® announced the 23 floats awarded official honors in the 137th Rose Parade® presented by Honda. These awards recognize excellence in a variety of categories and specifications.
South Pasadena Rose Parade Float Wins the ‘Past President Award’ on a historic, rare, rainy new years day with hundreds of thousands in attendance on the parade route in Pasadena. “Most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials”
The 2026 Sweepstakes trophy, the most beautiful entry: encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment, was presented to Cal Poly Universities. This is the seventh time a self-built float has been honored with the Sweepstakes Trophy and the first time for Cal Poly Universities. Since 1924, the Tournament of Roses has recognized one participant with the Sweepstakes Award for the most beautiful entry, encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.
The 2026 Rose Parade float award-winners are (alphabetically):
Award
Description
Participant
Builder
Americana
Most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions
Travel South Dakota
AES
Animation
Most outstanding use of animation
Kindness is Free (Powered by Boys & Girls Clubs of WSGV&E)
AES
Bob Hope Humor
Most whimsical and amusing float
City of Alhambra
Phoenix
Crown City Innovator
Most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology
Shrinking (Apple TV and Warner Bros. Television)
Phoenix
Director
Most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials
The UPS Store
AES
Extraordinaire
Most extraordinary float
San Francisco Travel Association
Fiesta
Fantasy
Most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination
Rising Together
AES
Founder
Most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization
Downey Rose Float Association
Self
Golden State
Most outstanding depiction of life in California
Odd Fellows & Rebekahs
Phoenix
Grand Marshal
Most outstanding creative concept and float design
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
AES
International
Most outstanding float from outside the United States
XXXX
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Isabella Coleman
Most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design
Elks U.S.A.
Phoenix
Judges
Most outstanding float design and dramatic impact
Sierra Madre Rose Float Association
Self
Leishman Public Spirit
Most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant
America250
Fiesta
Mayor
Most outstanding float from a participating city
La Cañada Flintridge
Self
Past President
Most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials
City of South Pasadena
Self
President
Most outstanding use and presentation of flowers
OneLegacy Donate Life
AES
Princess
Most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length
City of Torrance
Fiesta
Queen
Most outstanding presentation of roses
City of Santa Fe Springs
Phoenix
Showmanship
Most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment
Shriner Children’s
Phoenix
Sweepstakes
Most beautiful entry, encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment
Cal Poly Universities
Self
Theme
Most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade Theme
City of Burbank
Self
Tournament Volunteer
Most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length
Lions International
Phoenix
Wrigley Legacy
Most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment
Trader Joe’s
Phoenix
Scores are based on criteria such as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact.
This year’s judges – Doris Hardoon, Cathy Hillen-Rulloda and Chaz Perea – reviewed each float during judging sessions that take place during the decorating stages before the parade. The judges used their scores from the judging sessions to determine the trophy recipients. Banners for each award-winning float will be carried in the parade by select members of the Tournament of Roses Troop, which includes Gold Award Girl Scouts and Eagle Scouts.
FTD® is the official floral partner of the Tournament of Roses. The iconic American company has been a valued partner of the Rose Parade for more than 60 years. FTD® brings their exquisite floral vision to life on the antique cars used in the Rose Parade which carry the Rose Parade VIPs down Colorado Blvd., including the Grand Marshal, Tournament of Roses President, Mayor of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees. FTD® is also the sponsor of the Rose Parade Float Awards.