Digital News Report- The Cal Poly Rose Parade float titled “Seaside Amusement” has won the first ever Viewer’s Choice Award. The float was designed to resemble the numerous seaside amusement parks along the California coast and has a roller coaster that is based on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalks own Giant Dipper. The Students who helped create the float made a trip up to Santa Cruz for inspiration.
Viewers could vote at the KTLA website on January 1st from 10:00 a.m. (PST) to 6:00 p.m. (PST). Laura Farber, chairperson of the Tournament of Roses Judging committee, said, “for a long time, we have wanted to offer an interactive venue for Rose Parade fans, and are very glad we were able to partner with KTLA to provide the Viewers’ Choice award for the 2009 Parade. We are thrilled with the overwhelming turnout of voters for this first run and look forward to providing this opportunity for years to come.”
More than 10,000 people voted on the KTLA website. Cal Poly’s float received an overwhelming 3,219 of those votes. Since beginning their participation in the Rose Parade in 1949, Cal Poly has won 45 awards for their floats. Last years entry, “Guardian’s of Harmony,” won the Fantasy Trophy for the most outstanding display of fantasy.
“In the spirit of the 2009 Rose Parade(R), themed Hats Off to Entertainment, the float submitted by Cal Poly Universities certainly entertained audiences all around the country,” Farber stated. The float contained a working roller coaster, Ferris Wheel, parachutes, and two bumper cars riding in front of the float. Students and volunteers constructed the float in two pieces at both the Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campuses.