San Diego Zoo Wins Top Honor at 2025 Rose Parade

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced today that San Diego Zoo has won the 2025 Sweepstakes Award in the 136th Rose Parade presented by Honda. The award, presented annually since 1924, recognizes outstanding achievement in float design, floral presentation, and entertainment.

The Tournament honored 23 float entries on January 1, showcasing excellence across various categories. A panel of three judges — Morgan Anderson, Bill Brzeski and Drew Rios — evaluated entries during decorating stages before the parade, using their scores from these sessions to determine trophy recipients.

Judging criteria included creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact.

FTD, the parade’s official floral partner for over 60 years, presented the awards and decorated the antique cars carrying Rose Parade VIPs down Colorado Boulevard, including the Grand Marshal, Tournament of Roses President, Mayor of Pasadena and Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees.

Notable winners included ELKS U.S.A. (Americana Trophy) built by PHX, City of Burbank’s self-built entry (Animation Trophy), and One Legacy Donate Life (Extraordinaire Trophy) built by AES. Community contributions were highlighted by Downey Rose Float Association’s self-built entry winning the Founder Award. In the under-35-feet category, the City of Torrance (Princess Trophy) and Rotary (Tournament Volunteer Trophy) earned recognition.

The 136th Rose Parade, themed “Best Day Ever!”, demonstrated the commitment of the Tournament’s 935 members who contributed more than 80,000 volunteer hours. The parade preceded the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 111th Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Award-winning float banners were carried by select Tournament of Roses Troop members, including Gold Award Girl Scouts and Eagle Scouts.

For more information, visit www.tournamentofroses.com or follow the Tournament of Roses on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.