SAN DIEGO (Jan. 1, 2026) – Today, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance won the Grand Marshal Award at the 137th annual Rose Parade® Presented by Honda with a float inspired by the architects of the earth—elephants. The Alliance received the Grand Marshal Award given for most outstanding creative concept and float design. The award-winning float, “Giant Strides Together,” transported viewers to the all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley. The largest and most transformative project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 109-year history, Elephant Valley will open on March 5, 2026, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California.
"This year’s float celebrates the majesty of elephants and the immersive experience guests visiting Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will soon get to experience,” said Shawn Dixon, president and chief executive officer, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “We’re excited to receive this honor as we prepare to welcome the world to walk alongside these magnificent animals like never before.”
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s float featured intricate designs of a few members of the Safari Park’s iconic African savanna elephant herd: matriarch Swazi and her daughter Qinisa, as well as Umngani and her daughter Mkhaya. The latter mother-daughter duo Umngani and Mkhaya gained international recognition in 2025 when they, along with other members of the herd, were seen forming a protective “alert circle” during an earthquake.
Each purposefully designed aspect representing this keystone species and the ecosystems they serve came to life with mesmerizing plants and a dazzling array of flowers. The world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are leading zoological institutions and proudly accredited botanical gardens. This gives San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance a special edge as it leverages its own experts to grow plants that can be used on its floats including, most notably, the savanna grasses featured this year.
Elephant Valley is an immersive journey for guests to learn about the crucial role elephants serve as ecosystem engineers, and better understand the nuances of the herd’s rich social structure. Surrounded by elephants on multiple sides, guests will encounter what it feels like to walk beside the herd. The dynamic savanna at the heart of the Safari Park aims to generate greater empathy, understanding and appreciation for elephants, encouraging guests to protect them for generations to come. This first-of-its-kind experience will offer new insight into the role San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance pursues as a leader in wildlife conservation, highlighting its global partners and celebrating the vibrant cultures and local communities in Kenya where people and elephants coexist.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a reputation for awe-inspiring floats. Its 2025 float, “Friendship Across the Earth,” commemorated the historic arrival of giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to the San Diego Zoo and received top honors with the Sweepstakes Award for most beautiful entry. Its 2024 float, “It Began With a Roar,” celebrated the San Diego Zoo’s 107-year history and received the Sweepstakes Trophy. Its float in 2023, themed “Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation” in honor of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s 50th anniversary, earned the Animation Award for most outstanding use of animation.
The Safari Park, spanning 1,800 acres in Escondido, California, is home to over 3,100 animals from more than 340 species. This one-of-a-kind destination offers guests of all ages the opportunity to strengthen their connection to wildlife and the natural world. Elephant Valley is included with Safari Park admission. For more information, visit sdzsafaripark.org/elephantvalley.
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About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships and groundbreaking efforts at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, both leading zoological institutions and accredited botanical gardens. Through wildlife care expertise, cutting-edge science and continued collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. The Alliance reaches over 1 billion people annually through its two conservation parks and media channels in 170 countries, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television, available in children’s hospitals across 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® is a volunteer organization that hosts America’s New Year Celebration® with the Rose Parade® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game® presented by Prudential and a variety of accompanying events. The Association’s 935 Members supply more than 80,000 volunteer hours, which will drive the success of the 137th Rose Parade, themed “The Magic in Teamwork,” on Thursday, January 1, 2026, followed by the College Football Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Visit www.tournamentofroses.com, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X and like us on Facebook.
