A float built by teams from the two Cal Poly campuses in California won a special honor as part of the 2020 Rose Parade. The float, named “Aquatic Aspirations” received the "Director Award" for outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials.
It features a submarine exploring a sunken shipwreck surroundead by marine wildlife. It was designed and built by teams of students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Cal Poly Pomona.
The 55 foot long float featured animated turtles, jellyfish, fish, a ray and swaying kelp.
An estimated 700,000 people saw the float in person as it moved along the parade route. More than 60 million people around the world watched the parade on television.