PASADENA, Calif. (January 1, 2020) – Today, the Tournament of Roses announced the 24 floats awarded official honors in the 131st Rose Parade presented by Honda. These awards recognize excellence in a variety of categories and specifications.
The 2020 Sweepstakes Trophy, the most beautiful entry: encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment, was presented to The UPS Store, Inc.
The 2020 Rose Parade float award-winners are (alphabetically):
| AWARD | DESCRIPTION | PARTICIPANT | THEME | BUILDER |
| Sweepstakes | Most beautiful entry: encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment | THE UPS STORE, INC. | STORIES CHANGE OUR WORLD | FIESTA |
| Americana | Most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions | GENERAL SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS | THE VOYAGE OF HOPE–1620 | FIESTA |
| Animation | Most outstanding use of animation | MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN DAY | PLANT A GARDEN…BELIEVE IN TOMORROW | PHOENIX |
| Bob Hope Humor | Most whimsical and amusing float | LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES ASSOCIATION | DODO BIRD FLIGHT SCHOOL | SELF-BUILT |
| Crown City Innovator | Most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology | TRADER JOE’S | IT TAKES A FLIGHT OF FANCY | PHOENIX |
| Director | Most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials | CAL POLY UNIVERSITIES | AQUATIC ASPIRATIONS | SELF-BUILT |
| Extraordinaire | Most extraordinary float | CHINESE AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION (CAHF) | AMERICAN HEROES | FIESTA |
| Fantasy | Most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination | NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL | SPEND YOUR LIFE LIVING | FIESTA |
| Founder | Most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization | DOWNEY ROSE FLOAT ASSOCIATION | ON THE WINGS OF HOPE | SELF-BUILT |
| Golden State | Most outstanding depiction of life in California | HUNTINGTON LIBRARY, ART MUSEUM, AND BOTANICAL GARDENS | CULTIVATING CURIOSITY | PHOENIX |
| Grand Marshal | Most outstanding creative concept and float design | CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL | CULTIVATE THE FUTURE OF | FIESTA |
| International | Most outstanding float from outside the United States | CHINA AIRLINES | DREAMS OF FLYING, WINGS OF HOPE | AES |
| Isabella Coleman | Most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design | AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | HOPE FOR THE HOMELESS | FIESTA |
| Judges | Most outstanding float design and dramatic impact | DONATE LIFE | LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS | FIESTA |
| Leishman Public Spirit | Most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant | BURBANK TOURNAMENT OF ROSES ASSOCIATION | RISE UP | SELF-BUILT |
| Mayor | Most outstanding float from a participating city | SOUTH PASADENA TOURNAMENT OF ROSES ASSOCIATION | VICTORY AT LAST | SELF-BUILT |
| Past President | Most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials | CITY OF HOPE | CITY OF HOPE | PHOENIX |
| President | Most outstanding use and presentation of flowers | SIERRA MADRE ROSE FLOAT ASSOCIATION | KA LA HIKI OLA (THE DAWNING OF A NEW DAY) | SELF-BUILT |
| Princess | Most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length | TORRANCE ROSE FLOAT ASSOCIATION | OUR GARDEN OF HOPE AND DREAMS | FIESTA |
| Queen | Most outstanding presentation of roses | DOLE PACKAGED FOODS | SUNSHINE FOR ALL | FIESTA |
| Showmanship | Most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment | THE COWBOY CHANNEL | WALK RIDE RODEO | PHOENIX |
| Theme | Most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade Theme | PASADENA CELEBRATES 2020 | YEARS OF HOPE. YEARS OF COURAGE. | AES |
| Tournament Volunteer | Most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length | ROTARY ROSE PARADE FLOAT COMMITTEE | HOPE CONNECTS THE WORLD | PHOENIX |
| Wrigley Legacy | Most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment | KAISER PERMANENTE | COURAGE TO REIMAGINE | FIESTA |
DOWNLOAD PDF OF FLOAT AWARDS 2020
Scores are based on criteria such as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact.
This year’s judges – Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, Phil Hettema and Lilit Khatchaturian – reviewed each float during judging sessions that take place during the decorating stages before the parade. The judges used their scores from the judging sessions to determine the trophy recipients. Banners for each award-winning float will be carried in the parade by select members of the Tournament of Roses Troop, which includes Gold Award Girl Scouts and Eagle Scouts.
FTD is the official floral company and sponsor of the Rose Parade Float Awards. The iconic American company has been affiliated with the Rose Parade for more than 60 years. FTD decorates the antique automobiles which carry the Rose Parade VIPs down Colorado Boulevard including the Grand Marshals, Tournament of Roses President, Mayor of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame cars.