UPDATE: The Tournament of Roses is stepping up recovery efforts following the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires that claimed at least 31 lives and destroyed thousands of homes in the Pasadena area. Just days after the joyous January 1, 2025 Rose Parade, the community faces a monumental challenge as it seeks to rebuild.
Officials report that 48 staff members and volunteers from the Tournament of Roses were personally affected by the fires. Reese Rosental Saporito, a marketing assistant and Rose Court alumna, describes the transition from celebration to tragedy as “extremely rough.” She noted, “Earlier this year, we evacuated and lost most of our community.”
Candy Carlson, the Tournament’s Director of Communications, also lost her home to the fires. “It was the most significant, tragic thing that’s happened in my life,” she stated. Carlson emphasized the support she received from her colleagues: “They were the first to come toward me with, how can I help?”
The Tournament of Roses organized clothing donation drives to aid wildfire victims, demonstrating their commitment to community support. Carlson shared that sorting clothing for those in need was a pivotal moment of healing for her.
“If we can make just one person affected by the fires get a glimmer of hope, then everything we’ve done will be worth it,” said Carlson.
This year’s parade theme, “The Magic in Teamwork,” serves as both a tribute to the resilience of first responders and a celebration of community unity. Saporito praised the collaborative efforts: “The magic in teamwork is really something we’ve seen come to life over the last 11 months.”
Mark Leavens, the Tournament of Roses President, stressed the importance of community spirit in the wake of the fires. “We really look at this year as being especially relevant to the people that have gone through so much,” he said, highlighting the establishment of a fund to assist those affected, including members who lost homes or businesses.
Leavens reflected on the tournament’s mission of hope and renewal, stating, “The theme celebrates that collaborative spirit and how we can achieve so much more when we work together.”
As the community continues to heal, the Tournament of Roses aims to create a moment of joy and resilience during the parade. Saporito hopes it will serve as a point of happiness for those recovering from the fires: “It really is a celebration of who we are, as Pasadena and Altadena.”
The parade, scheduled for January 1, 2025, will honor the lives lost and the community’s strength. Leavens affirmed, “While we want to pay tribute to those lives that were lost, we also want to look forward and show the resilience that our community has displayed since the fires.”
Stay tuned for more updates as the Tournament of Roses prepares for a parade that promises to uplift and inspire a community in recovery.
