Mayor Victor M. Gordo Announces the Special Guests who will join him and his Family in the 2026 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, Riding aboard a Rare and Historic 1937[...]

PASADENA, Calif.- The 2026 Rose Parade theme, "The Magic in Teamwork," celebrates the simple but powerful truth that when people come together in service of one another, extraordinary things are possible. For Pasadena and Altadena, that message carries special meaning following a year of unprecedented challenges, when neighbors helped neighbors, leaders worked hand in hand with volunteers, and a community found strength in collective action.

Mayor Gordo, his wife Kelly, and their children Michael and Emma are expected to be joined by community leaders and residents whose courage, compassion, and service were essential during and after the Eaton Fire, and individuals who embody the spirit of teamwork and the deep sense of care that defines Pasadena.

Joining the Mayor are:

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Pasadena and Altadena communities from the earliest moments of the Eaton fire. She helped align County resources with local needs, kept people, not process, at the center of the response, and championed access to recovery, mental health, and community services. Through steady, compassionate leadership, she helped ensure survivors could move forward with dignity, hope, and the reassurance that they were not facing recovery alone.

Pasadena Firefighter/Paramedic Tony Zee, has served our community for more than twenty years and leads the Fire Department's Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT), which he helped establish in 2018 to provide compassionate, street-level care to residents facing chronic homelessness, mental health challenges, and other complex needs. During the Eaton Fire, Tony was on medical leave while battling a cancer diagnosis. He did not have to show up, but he chose to. With calm, compassion, and purpose, he helped recruit and support City employees and community partners volunteering at the evacuation center, he coordinated care and resources for those affected, especially our most vulnerable and in need community members. His leadership reminded us that true service is about showing up for others, supporting one another, and bringing people together when it matters most.

Vicente Ramirez, a longtime Pasadena resident and day laborer, who volunteered in the days immediately following the Eaton Fire to clean streets and remove debris. His service reflects the vital contributions of many community members from immigrant backgrounds who stepped forward, often quietly and without recognition, to help neighbors and support first responders during a time of crisis.

Kenneth "Kenny" James, a lifelong Pasadena and Altadena resident and a City of Pasadena employee for more than 25 years, currently serving as a Recreation Supervisor with the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. Kenny and his family lost their Altadena home to the fire, all while he was working tirelessly to help establish, support, and operate the City's evacuation and emergency operations for affected community members.

Malcolm Thomas, a decades-long City of Pasadena employee who currently serves as an Information Technology Support Specialist. Malcolm and his family also lost their beloved Altadena home to the Eaton Fire. And, like Mr. James, Malcolm continued to support critical emergency operations, providing essential IT support to first responders and City staff working around the clock to assist fire-affected residents.

"These are individuals who showed up when Pasadena needed them most," said Mayor Gordo. "They represent the very best of our community, people who led, served, and cared for others even as they faced profound personal hardship. This is the magic of teamwork."

The group will ride a 1937 American LaFrance Fire Engine, a remarkable piece of American firefighting history. Founded in 1903, the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company manufactured only eight engines of this model, today, just two are known to exist.

Engine L-948 was acquired in early 1937 by the Petaluma Fire Department through funding made possible by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, at a combined purchase price of $18,180 for the engine and its sister rig. After decades of service, the engine fell into disrepair and was eventually sold for scrap in 1960. When the Whyte family acquired it in 1989, it was in grave condition. Through countless hours of careful restoration, the engine was returned to its present, stunning state, a moving tribute to history, service, and preservation.

"This fire engine, like our community, has endured hardship and been restored through dedication and care," Mayor Gordo added. "It is a powerful symbol of the people riding aboard it, and of a city that moves forward together."

The 2026 Rose Parade will honor not only Pasadena's cherished traditions, but also the quiet heroism, shared sacrifice, and teamwork that continue to shape the City's recovery and its future.