“San Diego Zoo Wins Top Rose Parade Float Honors for 2nd Year in a Row!”
For the second consecutive year, the San Diego Zoo took home the prestigious Sweepstakes Trophy at the 2025 Rose Parade for its stunning float, “Friendship Across the Earth.” The float, designed by Azusa-based Artistic Entertainment Services, showcases the zoo’s two giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, in their new home at the revamped Panda Ridge habitat.
The pandas, a 5-year-old male and 4-year-old female, arrived in June from China and are featured prominently on the float. This honor, awarded annually since 1924, celebrates the most beautiful entry, considering float design, floral presentation, and entertainment value.
The zoo has also launched a new panda cam, allowing viewers to watch the pandas’ daily activities remotely at sandiegozoo.org/pandacam.
“We’re deeply honored to receive the Sweepstakes Award again, especially this year,” said Paul Baribault, president and CEO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Yun Chuan and Xin Bao symbolize what can happen when we come together with a shared commitment.”
San Diego Zoo’s Rose Parade Float Shines with Malayan Tiger, Red Pandas, and More!
The San Diego Zoo’s 2025 Rose Parade float wowed crowds once again, featuring the majestic Malayan tiger Connor and playful red pandas Lucas and Adira. The float, adorned with vibrant orange stripes and cascading waterfalls, captured the beauty of wildlife and nature. Lucas and Adira were seen frolicking among treetops, while zoo leaders Megan Owen, Jana Biedenweg, and Xiaoxing Bian rode at the front of the 55-foot display.
The float offered a stunning glimpse of the zoo’s lush landscapes, showcasing over 700,000 plants carefully nurtured by zoo horticulturists. Plants grown at the zoo, including yellow groove, golden, and black bamboo, were featured in the design and transported to Pasadena for the event.
This year marks the zoo’s second consecutive Sweepstakes Trophy win, following the success of its 2024 float, “It Began With a Roar,” which celebrated the zoo’s 107-year history. In 2023, the zoo’s float “Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation” won the Animation Award.
23 Additional Rose Parade Floats Earn Top Honors!
The 2025 Rose Parade saw 23 outstanding floats recognized for their creative and artistic brilliance. Here are the winners:
- Elks U.S.A.: “Cherished Memories” – Americana Award for the best depiction of national treasures and traditions.
- City of Burbank: “Having A-Lava Fun!” – Animation Award for exceptional use of animation.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside: “Kindness is Free” – Bob Hope Humor Award for the most whimsical and amusing float.
- La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association: “Rover Rendezvous” – Crown City Innovator for innovation and technology.
- Louisiana Office of Tourism: “Louisiana Saturday Night” – Director’s Award for artistic design and use of floral and non-floral elements.
- OneLegacy Foundation: “Let Your Life Soar” – Extraordinaire Award for the most extraordinary float.
- City of South Pasadena: “Seas The Day!” – Fantasy Award for the best display of fantasy and imagination.
- Downey Rose Float Association: “Our Garden Railroad” – Founder’s Award for a float built and decorated by volunteers.
- Sierra Madre Rose Float Association: “Fiesta!” – Golden State Award for depicting life in California.
- Love 2 Yeu: “Journey of Dreams” – Grand Marshal Award for creative concept and design.
- Coding for Veterans: “Coming Home to New Beginnings” – International Award for the best float from outside the U.S.
- City of Hope: “A Beautiful Day for Hope” – Isabella Coleman Award for color harmony and floral design.
- The UPS Store Inc.: “Helping Dreams Take Flight” – Judges Award for float design and dramatic impact.
- Cal Poly Universities: “A Lake Day with Scottish Animals and Nessie” – Leishman Public Spirit Award for floral presentation.
- City of Alhambra: “Good Day Dreamin’” – Mayor’s Award for the best float from a participating city.
- Visit Mississippi: “Mississippi: The Birthplace of America’s Music” – Past President’s Award for innovation in floral and non-floral materials.
- Western Asset: “Float Like a Butterfly” – President’s Award for outstanding floral presentation.
- City of Torrance: “What a Beautiful Day” – Princess Award for the best floral presentation in floats under 35 feet.
- Shriners Children’s: “Hope Shines On” – Queen’s Award for the best presentation of roses.
- Trader Joe’s: “Here We Go!” – Showmanship Award for the most entertaining display.
- Pasadena Humane/Hill’s Pet Nutrition: “Welcome Home” – Theme Award for best representation of the Rose Parade theme.
- Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee: “On The Road With Rotary!” – Tournament Volunteer Award for the best floral presentation among floats under 35 feet.
- Trader Joe’s: “You Are Invited” – Americana Award for depiction of national treasures and traditions.
- Kaiser Permanente: “More Healthy Days for More Healthy Years” – Wrigley Legacy Award for floral presentation, design, and entertainment.
The Tournament of Roses evaluates floats based on creative design, floral craftsmanship, animation, thematic interpretation, and dramatic impact.