Holden’s Block Party Returns After Heat Delay, Extending a Quarter-Century Tradition

On September 27, a familiar stretch of East Jackson Street will close to traffic and fill with music, games and information booths when Chris Holden’s 26th Annual Community Resource Fair and Block Party takes place from 2 to 6 p.m.

This year’s fair was originally set for August 23, but forecasts of temperatures above 110 degrees forced organizers to postpone.

Officials at LA Fire Justice, the coalition Holden now leads, said at the time the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” after the National Weather Service issued heat warnings for the San Gabriel Valley.

Holden launched the block party near his home in the 500 Block of East Jackson Street around 1999 during his early years in elected office, and has continued through his tenures as Pasadena Councilmember, then Mayor, then Assemblymember.

From its beginnings as a neighborhood event, it has developed into a hybrid of street festival and civic resource fair. Families turn out for live music, children’s activities and vendor booths, while public agencies and nonprofit groups use the event to reach residents who might otherwise remain disconnected from vital services.

The 2025 edition is the first held under the sponsorship of LA Fire Justice, where Holden now serves as chief executive.

The organization is a coalition headquartered in Pasadena composed of attorneys, fire experts, insurance specialists, and community leaders who focus on holding responsible parties, notably Southern California Edison, accountable for wildfire damages from the Eaton Fire.

In this context, the block party extends beyond tradition.

The open format remains unchanged: no advance registration is required, preserving accessibility for all residents.

The new date places the fair during a week already crowded with community events, but organizers report they expect strong attendance.

For more information, call (626) 684-3315.