It’s like clockwork.

Hundreds of local high schoolers this weekend will begin their quest to be selected to the coveted 2026 Rose Parade Rose Court , with tryouts taking place over two days.

The event, steeped in Tournament of Roses tradition, is one of the first to mark the beginning of Rose Parade season as the calendar turns toward the fall.

But this year is like no other, Tournament officials and local leaders said this week.

Underpinning the traditional pageantry of it all this season is what happened only a week after the last Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game.

A catastrophe.

Jan. 7, 2025. The “ Best Day Ever !” on Jan. 1 turns to the worst: the Eaton fire six days later.

How the disaster is reflected in the parade and Rose Bowl game come this Jan. 1, 2026, remains unknow

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