LA wildfire victims honored, survivors walk, ride on Rose Parade not far from destruction

Andrew King ended Thursday’s Rose Parade soaked, but grateful.

He described his ride on the “Rising Together” float from California Community Foundation and The Black Freedom Fund as a cleansing experience after a tough, tough year behind him.

As one of five survivors picked to represent survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires, King — who lost his Bel Air Avenue home in Altadena — said what he will most remember most about his flag-waving stint onboard the float is the feeling of camaraderie and community he felt between the float riders and the parade-goers.

“I definitely had chills. I got teary-eyed, to know this float means so much to so many,” King said.

The year 2025 was marred by heartbreak, devastation and death as Los Angeles County’s mammoth wildfires cut a savage swath through the region.

Tournament of Roses officials worked to assure that wildfire survivors and the first responders who battled the blazes were honored appropriately during this year’s march. Scores of Tournament officials, staff and volunteers were also hit hard by the unprecedented fires, including many who lost their homes.

Just a few miles away from the parade’s 5.5-mile route, harbingers of hope and rebirth for those who survived the Eaton and Palisades fires arose frequently during the parade.

In many ways, the event offered undertones of resilience and hope alongside the parade’s official theme: “The Magic in Teamwork.”

In a tribute to the communities of Altadena, Pasadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu, the “Rising Together” float entered by the California Community Foundation and the Black Freedom Fund featured a towering phoenix — an enduring symbol of renewal — as well as California native plants, depictions of the San Gabriel Mountains and shoreline elements.

Fire survivors and representatives from nonprofits who have supported recovery rode on the float and walked alongside.

The float was chosen by parade judges for the Fantasy Award, for “most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination.”

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) float “Food for Health”  included the co-owners of Altadena staple Fair Oaks Burger Janet and Christy Lee along with Los Angeles Fire Captain Thomas Kitahata. AHF’s Food for Health program responded to fire impacted areas to provide free hot meals.

Such tributes were months in the making.

Last fall, the Tournament of Roses slowly began unveiling how the unavoidable topic of the wildfires and the proximity of the Eaton fire would fold into the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game.

The Tournament also provided thousands of tickets to fire survivors to attend the parade, Rose Bowl game and Floatfest.

On Thursday, Tournament President Mark Leavens and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo each rode in vintage fire engines down the parade route.

Leavens rode in a Pasadena Fire Department 1967 Crown Firecoach fire engine; it served at Pasadena fire stations from 1967 to 1980.

While the Eaton fire damaged by comparison a much smaller portion of Pasadena compared to Altadena, the communities have always been inextricably linked and in the past year “Dena Strong” has been used as a rallying cry and show of unity between the neighboring communities. Pasadena was not without heartbreak, of course — and its school system took a particularly brutal blow.

Gordo has played a tireless role in advocating relief for the region. On Thursday, the ebullient mayor rode — and often stood tall, without a rain poncho despite the showers, in a bright red sweater — in a 1937 American LaFrance fire engine. His guests included Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Pasadena firefighter/paramedic Tony Zee, Pasadena resident Vicente Ramirez and city employees Kenneth James and Malcolm Thomas, who both lost their homes in the fire.

“Today’s Rose Parade rightfully honored the strength and resilience of communities impacted by wildfires,” said Barger. “These tributes reflect the gratitude we owe our brave first responders and the enduring spirit of survivors who are rebuilding with hope and determination.”

The Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, meanwhile, offered up a tribute to firefighters with a bit of whimsy. The float, “Pancake Breakfast,” includes a giant fire truck modeled after Sierra Madre’s Fire Engine #41 pumping syrup onto a giant stack of flapjacks.

Some had criticized the float, however, saying it was too soon for such a whimsical approach, but the Sierra Madre team removed the audio and music from the presentation in response.

The float was honored with the Judges Award by Rose Parade officials, “for most outstanding float design and dramatic impact.”

Leavens was especially touched by the donation of one parade participant, the energetic Mino Jiyu Gakuen “Golden Bears” Green Band, from Mino Jihy Gakuen High School in Toyonaka, Japan.

“They said to them when they perform in the Rose Parade they should pay tribute to those people because of all they’ve gone through,” he said. “So, those students raised $7,000 and gave that to us from out of their own pockets to help out the fire victims.”

Thursday’s rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm community spirit many felt during every mile of the route.

“It is definitely,” said fire survivor King, “a day to remember.”