Following a year of wildfire recovery, Malibu youth helped lead the parade with ‘Building Kinder Communities’ float
Against a backdrop of steady rain and renewed hope, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu (BGCM) once again took part in one of the world’s most iconic celebrations, participating in the 137th annual Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. For the third consecutive year, BGCM members marched and rode alongside partners from Kindness Is Free Org, fellow Boys & Girls Clubs, and community leaders — but this year’s appearance carried deeper meaning following an unprecedented year marked by the Palisades Fire and the long road to recovery for local families.
As Malibu continues to rebuild, the opportunity to ring in 2026 on Colorado Boulevard was both a celebration and a statement. For BGCM members, many of whom have spent the past year supporting neighbors, friends, and families affected by wildfire, the parade symbolized resilience, compassion, and the power of youth-driven service.
“This year’s float reflected everything our kids and staff live every day — cooperation, kindness, and showing up for your community when it matters most,” BGCM leaders shared.
BGCM participated as part of the float “Building Kinder Communities,” created in partnership with Kindness Is Free Org and Boys & Girls Clubs of the West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside. The float told a powerful story of neighbors lifting one another up, a theme that resonated strongly in a year shaped by loss, rebuilding, and collective healing.
That message did not go unnoticed. The float earned the Animation Award for Best Use of Animation, one of the most coveted honors awarded by the Tournament of Roses. Judges recognized the float’s creative and effective use of animated elements to promote kindness — perfectly aligning with the 2026 Rose Parade theme, “The Magic in Teamwork.”
For BGCM members, many experiencing the Rose Parade for the first time, the recognition was both thrilling and affirming. Riding in the parade alongside peers from other clubs and community leaders, they saw firsthand how collaboration can amplify impact — a lesson mirrored in their work back home in Malibu.
Despite persistent rain — a rarity for the Rose Parade — the spirit along the 5½-mile route remained electric. Spectators lined the streets, cheering as floats rolled by, celebrating not just floral artistry but the stories behind them. For BGCM, the rainy conditions felt symbolic: even amid challenges, the community showed up.
Rose Parade highlights and award winners
In total, 21 floats were honored at the 137th Rose Parade, showcasing creativity, craftsmanship, and teamwork across communities, cities, and organizations.
The parade’s most prestigious honor, the Sweepstakes Award, went to Cal Poly Universities’ student-built float, “Jungle Jumpstart,” which was recognized as the most beautiful float overall. Designed and constructed entirely by students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Pomona, the float told the story of rainforest animals working together to restore a robot friend — a vivid interpretation of teamwork that captivated both judges and spectators.
Other award-winning entries celebrated a wide range of themes. Travel South Dakota earned the Americana Award for “Carved in Stone; A Legacy of Teamwork,” while Trader Joe’s received the Wrigley Legacy Award for “You Float Our Boat!” and also shared the Americana Award with “You Are Invited.”
The Bob Hope Humor Award went to the City of Alhambra for the playful “Bee Magical Together,” while the Crown City Innovator Award recognized innovation and technology in “We’re Getting There. Together,” inspired by the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.”
Community-built floats were also celebrated, including the Founder’s Award winner “The Glow of Achievement” by the Downey Rose Float Association, and the Judges Award recipient “Pancake Breakfast” from the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association.
Floral excellence was honored across several categories, with OneLegacy Donate Life earning the President’s Award for “Treasure Every Moment Together,” City of Santa Fe Springs receiving the Queen’s Award for its presentation of roses, and Elks U.S.A. winning the Isabella Coleman Award for color harmony with “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
Additional honors went to floats from cities including Burbank, Torrance, South Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and organizations such as Shriners Children’s, Lions International, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, California Community Foundation, and America250, each interpreting the parade’s theme through storytelling, artistry, and community pride.
From Malibu youth championing kindness in the aftermath of fire devastation to college students engineering an award-winning jungle masterpiece, the 2026 Rose Parade highlighted the extraordinary power of teamwork across generations.
For the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, the experience was more than a parade appearance or an award win. It was a moment of pride, healing, and inspiration — proof that even after one of the most challenging years in recent memory, Malibu’s young people are helping lead the way forward with compassion, creativity, and hope.