Penguins and polar bears party Hawaii-style on Cal Poly float

SLO Tribune 1/2/07

Students from Cal Poly universities in San Luis Obispo and Pomona entered a float Monday in their 59th consecutive Tournament of Roses Parade.

The theme for this year’s team float was "Arctic Antics," featuring polar bears and penguins at a festive holiday luau.

Dozens of students from the two campuses work together for a year building the float. Pomona is in charge of animation, and San Luis Obispo is in charge of the drive system.

The Cal Poly float is the only entry designed, constructed, decorated and financed solely by students.

The float was one of 45 in the 2007 parade. As well, 22 marching bands and 23 equestrian units took part.

The universities did not capture any trophies at this year’s parade. Cal Poly floats have won more than 40 trophies and awards in the parade since 1949, the first year the schools took part.