San Diego Zoo Float Takes Top Honors at Rose Parade — Again

San Diego made a strong showing in Pasadena Wednesday — again.

The San Diego Zoo and Wildlife Alliance’s float took top honors in the Tournament of Roses Parade for the second consecutive year on Wednesday, winning the 2025 Sweepstakes Trophy for its entry titled “Friendship Across the Earth.”

“To receive the Sweepstakes Award is in itself such an honor, but to do so this year feels especially momentous,” said Paul Baribault, president and chief executive officer of the SDZWA, in a statement.

“In 2024, we had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of watching as Yun Chuan and Xin Bao brought the world together. They represent what is truly possible when we come together with a shared purpose, commitment, and trust in one another.” 

The float, which was designed by Azusa-based Artistic Entertainment Services, features the zoo’s two giant pandas frolicking around their new home. The pair — 5-year-old male Yun Chuan and 4-year-old female Xin Bao — arrived in June from China and are now featured in the zoo’s the reimagined Panda Ridge habitat.

The float also featured representations of Connor the Malayan tiger, while red pandas Lucas and Adira were seen frolicking among treetops. Riding below were San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance team members Dr. Megan Owen, Jana Biedenweg, and Dr. Xiaoxing Bian — a global conservation leader, a wildlife expert, and a scientist. 

More than 700,000 individual plants that are cared for by horticulturists at the San Diego Zoo were also part of the float. Individual plants grown and propagated at the zoo — including yellow groove, golden, and black bamboo — were transported to Pasadena and added to the float. 

The Sweepstakes Award, which has been presented for each parade since 1924, honors the most beautiful entry encompassing float design, floral presentation, and entertainment.

This is the second year in a row that the San Diego Zoo has received the Rose Parade’s Sweepstakes Trophy. Last year’s winning entry, “It All Started With a Roar,” commemorated the zoo’s history, mission, and cultural influence in San Diego.

The other winning floats — 23 in all — are:

— Elks U.S.A. “Cherished Memories”
Americana Award for most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions

— City of Burbank, “Having A-Lava Fun!”
Animation Award for most outstanding use of animation

— Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside, “Kindness is Free”
Bob Hope Humor Award for most whimsical and amusing float

— La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association, “Rover Rendezvous”
Crown City Innovator for most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology

— Louisiana Office of Tourism, “Louisiana Saturday Night”
Director’s Award for most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral

— OneLegacy Foundation, “Let Your Life Soar”
Extraordinaire Award for most extraordinary float

— City of South Pasadena, “Seas The Day!”
Fantasy Award for most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination

— Downey Rose Float Association, “Our Garden Railroad”
Founder’s Award for most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization

— Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, “Fiesta!”
Golden State Award for most outstanding depiction of life in California

— Love 2 Yeu, “Journey of Dreams”
Grand Marshal Award for most outstanding creative concept and float design

— Coding for Veterans, “Coming Home to New Beginnings”
International Award for most outstanding float from outside the United States

— City of Hope, “A Beautiful Day for Hope”
Isabella Coleman Award for most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design

— The UPS Store, Inc., “Helping Dreams Take Flight”
Judges Award for most outstanding float design and dramatic impact

— Cal Poly Universities, “A Lake Day with Scottish Animals and Nessie”
Leishman Public Spirit Award for most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant

— City of Alhambra, “Good Day Dreamin’ “
Mayor’s Award for most outstanding float from a participating city

— Visit Mississippi, “Mississippi: The Birthplace of America’s Music”
Past President’s Award for most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials

— Western Asset, “Float Like a Butterfly”
President’s Award for most outstanding use and presentation of flowers

— City of Torrance, “What a Beautiful Day”
Princess Award for most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length

— Shriners Children’s, “Hope Shines On”
Queen’s Award for most outstanding presentation of roses

— Trader Joe’s, “Here We Go!”
Showmanship Award for most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment

— Pasadena Humane/Hill’s Pet Nutrition, “Welcome Home”
Theme Award for most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade Theme

— Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, “On The Road With Rotary!”
Tournament Volunteer Award for most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length

— Kaiser Permanente, “More Healthy Days for More Healthy Years”
Wrigley Legacy Award for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment

— Trader Joe’s, “You Are Invited”
Americana Award for most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions.

City News Service contributed to this report.