A Dodgers landscaper, a floral maven and Disney chief: Meet the 2026 Rose Parade judges

This year’s panel of float judges selected by the Tournament of Roses includes an award-winning float designer, a former Disney executive and the landscape manager at Dodger Stadium.

Meet Cathy Hillen-Rulloda, Doris Hardoon and Chaz Perea.

Each year, a three-person panel selects 24 float awards highlighting excellence in categories including float design, floral presentation and entertainment value.

The sweepstakes trophy is presented to the most beautiful entry and is the most coveted award each year.

“Each of them has made a remarkable impact in their field, and now they bring that perspective to the Rose Parade,” Tournament of Roses President Mark Leavens said in a statement. “We’re honored to welcome such inspiring leaders whose insights will help us celebrate the passion, precision and purpose behind every float.”

Along with his duties at Dodger Stadium, Perea is a horticulture professor at Mt. San Antonio College. Perea and his team have reimagined the stadium grounds with drought tolerant, native plants. They transformed the venerable L.A. landmark into the first U.S. sports arena accredited as a botanic garden.

Hardoon contributed early design work for EPCOT and later served as executive creative director and producer on landmark developments including Shanghai Disney Resort.

Hillen-Rulloda’s floral designs have earned top honors in multiple competitions and have appeared on stages like the 1984 Olympic games. She is a certified floral judge and instructor at the Southern California School of Floral Design. Hillen-Rulloda is returning to the Rose Parade on the 50th anniversary of her march down Colorado Boulevard as part of the St. Albans, West Virginia high school marching band.

The 2026 Rose Parade is the 137th edition of the parade and this year’s them is “The Magic in Teamwork.”