A Torrance tradition continued on Wednesday, Jan. 1, with a little help along the way. The city’s float, “What a Beautiful Day!”, was among the dozens in the Tournament of Rose Parade in Pasadena, where a theme of “Best Day Ever!” set the design context for the giant procession.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s giant panda-topped float took home the Rose Parade’s top honors Wednesday, winning the Sweepstakes Award that heralds the event’s most beautiful entry. It’s the second year in a row the alliance landed atop the proverbial podium.

The San Diego Zoo float took top honors in the 136th Rose Parade, winning the Sweepstakes Award for "most beautiful entry" for two years in a row.

For the third consecutive year, the state of Illinois is building a float and participating in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in California.

Two dozen flower-covered Rose Parade floats were awarded honors Wednesday morning by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. The 2025 Rose Parade float award winners were judged in a variety of categories, including the Sweepstakes Award for most beautiful entry. The highly coveted award presented since 1924 went to the San Diego Zoo.

An extra day has been added to Floatfest, where 39 floats displayed along two miles of Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards are up for viewing.

The three-day event continues through Friday, Jan. 3 at Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards. Here’s a glimpse.

Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase, is open on January 1, 2, and 3. This 2-mile display features Rose Parade floats after their appearance on the parade route. Each year, nearly 70,000 visitors go to Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevard in Pasadena for a rare opportunity to get up close to these incredible floats and admire the details and creativity that make each display unique.