Sierra Madre’s float entry honoring their hard working fire department.
Happy New Year from Pasadena, California. As is our beloved annual tradition, we begin our 2026 celebration at the 137th Tournament of Roses Parade right along Colorado Boulevard. This year’s theme is especially fitting. After a beautiful Rose Parade under a brilliant blue sky and perfect weather exactly one year ago, just six days later, the Eaton Fire erupted in the foothills just above the parade route, upending life for residents in the foothills of Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. Over 9000 structures were destroyed, 19 people lost their lives, and the beautiful, historic community of Altadena was forever changed. And while recovery continues to move slowly and unevenly, there is still a sense of hope and community pride. This is the Magic in Teamwork.
The Tournament of Roses starts with Pasadena Fire Department during a storm.
In what I hope will be an omen of better things to come, this year’s parade kicked off to inclement weather. The forecast had predicted precipitation, and while we hoped there would be a break in the clouds, or that at least the ‘liquid sunshine’ would hold off until after the parade had ended, we had no such luck. For as the song goes, “Seems it never rains in Southern California… It never rains in California, but girl don’t they warn ya, it pours.” And man, it did pour. So much so that the scheduled B-2 flyover did not kick off the parade.
Indeed, rain on America’s New Year’s celebration is rare. According to the internet, it has dampened the Rose Parade only eleven times in its 137-year history. The last time it rained was twenty years ago, in 2006. But while the weather made getting people to their seats a bit more difficult, the showers could not dampen the spirit of Pasadena. It was still a magical day.
Magic Johnson waves at the crowds.
The 2026 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal is famed NBA star, businessperson, and philanthropist Magic Johnson. Johnson spent his basketball career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, and currently is co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. As one who uses his resources and influence to give back to the community, Johnson has supported recovery efforts following the Eaton Fire. In January 2025, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to a civilian, for his work in business, philanthropy, and sports here and abroad. It was a bummer that the weather kept the tops up, but we could see him waving to the crowds from inside the vehicle.
San Francisco Travel Association depicting iconic scenes from around the city in colorful safflower, blue iris, Gerber daisies, orchids, chrysanthemums, and marigolds.
The floats were, as always, whimsical and exquisite. The colorful floral creations brightened the grey morning, and the level of detail on each float was extraordinary. Featured here are some of my favorites:
In Harmony We Serve from Lions International features four lions rowing together in a canoe in a scene made from strawflowers, marigolds, carnations, statice, and bougainvillea.San Diego Zoo’s “Giant Strides Together” depicts mighty elephants, graceful cranes, and playful zebrasThe Cal Poly Universities entry, “Jungle Jumpstart” creatively considers the connection between nature and technology in a playful jungle scene made up of roses, pampas grasses, chrysanthemums, and citrus peels. The Cal Poly students watching the parade across the street from my vantage were high energy and fun. They truly take pride in their work!The City of Santa Fe Springs, CA “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Inspiring the Future.” I just like it because of the train depiction.Visit Mississippi’s entry and the mid-parade performance with singer Charlie Worsham.Naughty black ants steal a poor bear’s picnic lunch in South Pasadena’s entry, “The Great Picnic Heist.” The scene was created from a variety of seeds, beans, fresh and dried flowers, and moss.For all you Trekkies out there, “Space For Everybody” celebrates the 60th anniversary of Star Trek, going boldly over constellations and Vasquez Rocks. The scene was created from coconut, lettuce seed, blue statice, black seaweed, and colorful anthuriums.My neighbor to the west and city in which I work: Alhambra. “Bee Magical Together” was inspired by a student in Alhambra Unified and captures the spirit of community. It does appear that the detailing on the bee’s head was impacted by the wet weather, but the float is still a colorful masterpiece.Explore Louisiana’s whimsical float, “Gulf to Gumbo” with mid-parade entertainer John Foster.Unfortunately, Downey’s rose float needed some help from the real parade heroes: AAA. “The Glow of Achievement” depicts the glowing lanterns of Diwali in colorful blooms. Despite some controversy over the float’s audio (which was pulled), the Sierra Madre Float Association pays a whimsical tribute to the city’s dedicated firefighters. The scene depicts a Sierra Madre truck made from red carnations, black sesame, and seaweed with a moving ladder operated by an SMFD firefighter. The stack of syrup-covered pancakes is made from cornmeal, chrysanthemums, and roses. City of Torrance “Together in Harmony” “Elks Care Elks Share” celebrated 100 years of Elks service to communities. The float highlights the Elks’ four virtues: Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity, and lists initiatives that help youth, veterans, and drug awareness. Travel South Dakota “Carved In Stone: A Legacy of Teamwork” highlights South Dakota’s famous landmarks, rugged wilderness, and traditions.City of Burbank’s “All Paws on Deck” features a playful ship pirated by feathered and furry friends created with melaleuca, pine needles, coffee, pampas, and other botanical materials.City of Hope “Overcoming Cancer and Diabetes Together” showcases a serene garden beautifully created with white rice, blue statice, silver leaf, mums, and greenery. La Canada Flintridge “Goin Nutz” depicts a humorous scene where cleverly naughty critters creatively cooperate to deliver nuts from their emergency supply to critters in need. I absolutely loved this two-part float. “Banding Together” from the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation celebrates music educators across America. The band following the float is composed of band directors across the country. “Rising Together” pays tribute to the strength and community spirit of Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades after the devastating wildfires in January 2025. The 31 California poppies featured on the float honors the 31 lives lost in the fires. The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs “Together We Grow” features playful bunnies and critters celebrating teamwork and community flourishing.In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Soaring Onward Together features three graceful bald eagles soaring over America’s wildernesses.
So it turns out that just about every float was my favorite. But as much as I loved the floats, I truly enjoyed hearing the marching bands from across the country and abroad. From local schools like Arcadia High School down I-210 and Los Angeles Unified, the second-largest public school district in the nation- to high school bands representing Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Alabama. The Golden Bears Green Band flew across the Pacific from Japan to march the five-and-a-half mile parade route in the rain, and the Delfines Marching Band traveled from Veracruz, Mexico. The Morgan State University Magnificent Marching Machine brought a thundering energy to their excellent performance. However, in my completely biased opinion, the best band of all was the Pasadena City College Lancer Band. As they marched down Colorado Boulevard to “We’re All in This Together” from High School Musical, I could not help but cheer for one sousaphone player, who along with his peers, has worked hard this season in preparation for the parade. Jacob just loves music and I hope that he’ll continue to pursue his music education even after he leaves PCC. I am forever grateful for the opportunities he has here in the San Gabriel Valley, and I feel so blessed to be able to support him in his endeavors.
So, even with the challenges that persist after a difficult 2025, I am hopeful as we enter a new year. Rain or shine, I love my California home and its beautiful traditions. Most of all, I love the sense of community we have here in the San Gabriel Valley and the feeling that indeed ‘we’re all in this together.’ After all, life is an adventure meant to be shared. And this is the magic in teamwork.
I wish you a hopeful and blessed 2026. With love from the Cranky Camper.
Happy New Year!
References: Hammond, Albert. “It Never Rains in Southern California.” 1972.
Based in California’s sunny San Gabriel Valley, I am mom to four growing kids and a pet parent to three bunnies and a forever pup and a coffee-fueled educator with a passion for teaching and social-emotional wellness. I love to travel and explore, especially the great outdoors. Life is an adventure meant to be shared. Happy trails!
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The Cranky Camper 