Cal Poly Students Finishing Rose Parade Float in the Cold

This year you can feel the excitement in the air again, the 126th annual Tournament of Roses Parade is just over a day away this year’s festivities come with a big chill.

Cal Poly students have been working in gloves, scarves and hoodies. Some students said they volunteered on the float until 1:30 Tuesday morning. Students and volunteers sped up the decorating to beat the Tuesday’s rain and the float is near completion.

Students are also getting ready to meet the judges and present the Cal Poly Universities Rose Parade float.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo senior, Young Choi, said, “I’m practicing to showcase all of our animation mechanisms. I’m excited to show them the waterfall which we’ll have a real waterfall.”

Cal Poly student Robert Potter said “I’ve been with the program for 4 years and it’s a lot of time commitment but it always pays off at the end.”

Cal Poly students say for the first time in more than a decade, you’ll see solar panels used on a Rose Parade float. Cal Poly students are using it to power the flags at the end of the float and a spinning candle.

Lisa Derderian , with the Pasadena Fire Department said the department is concerned for people using fire and barbecues to stay warm, “They can fall over and cause injury.”

“Hypothermia is a big Conner, especially in children.”