Giant Birds Soar Together in Cal Poly Universities 2027 Rose Float Design
Cal Poly Universities’ 78th Rose Parade float, “Soaring as One,” depicts a vibrant flock of flying and usually flightless birds soaring together through a colorful, sunset sky, celebrating the Tournament of Roses’ Parade theme of “Welcome” by sharing a story of inclusivity, acceptance and belonging.
The only student-designed and student-built float in the Rose Parade, “Soaring as One” is a joint effort between California State University students at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, who collaborate on all aspects of the float despite being separated by 250 miles.
A Canada goose, with a 16-foot wingspan, leads the signature V-formation, which includes a mallard duck, nene goose and great blue heron who have welcomed a few of their usually earth-bound friends to experience the flight. A kiwi bird flying a hang glider. A blimp provides a perch for a peacock and Rhode Island red chicken, and a set of prosthetic wings lift a jungle fowl high above the clouds.
“'Soaring as One’ was chosen to capture the uplifting feeling of belonging and being included,” says Cal Poly student and design chair, Sarah Vali. “With their newfound ability, the birds are embraced as one flock as they learn to fly alongside the others.”
Cal Poly Universities has always pushed innovation within the parade, and this year is no exception for the team. Major challenges include an update to the hydraulic system to allow more control and precision in the movement of individual elements, seamlessly concealing a mechanism to lift and lower the 2,000-pound blimp, and growing some of the float’s flowers and plants on each campus.
“We’re growing plants we have never tried to grow on campus before, including my personal favorite, celosia,” says Natalie Cano, the Cal Poly Pomona decorations chair. Celosia and gomphrena are one example of the roughly 42,000 flowers estimated on the float to emulate the fluffy and feathery look that defines the birds. Additionally, dianthus, chrysanthemums, as well as other large leaves will mimic the patchwork-feel of the blimp’s fabric, as if constructed by the birds themselves.
“Our program has always been about inclusivity and finding a place for students to feel as though they belong,” says president of the Cal Poly team, Bennett Parisi. “We have around 60 student leaders and hundreds more who take responsibility for building and designing every mechanical animation, welding structural supports, shaping the elements, testing decorative materials and operating the float throughout the year and during the parade itself.”
Since the two universities began their collaboration on entries for the Rose Parade float in 1949, the students have garnered 63 awards, including winning the Sweepstakes Award at the 2026 Rose Parade for their “Jungle Jumpstart” float.
Allyson Jane Castillo, president of the Cal Poly Pomona team, speaks to the message behind the story of the float.
“This story has deeply resonated with our students because it reflects the spirit of inclusivity at the heart of our program: everyone has a place, every contribution matters, and together we can create something greater than what any of us can achieve alone.”
“Soaring as One” invites audiences to follow the students’ journey as they bring the float to life and share in the inspirational story of flying and flightless birds coming together to soar to new heights together.
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