Madison Heights July 4th Parade Returns Friday With Fire Department Grand Marshals

The Madison Heights Neighborhood Association will host its annual July 4th Parade and Block Party on Friday, July 4, at 11 a.m., featuring representatives from the Pasadena Fire Department as grand marshals.

“This year’s Grand Marshals representing the heroic Pasadena Fire Department,” Madison Heights Neighborhood Association officials announced.

The parade route begins at Euclid Avenue at Fillmore Street and proceeds to Euclid Avenue at Glenarm Street, where the block party will launch.

The event welcomes participants on trikes, bikes, scooters, strollers, skateboards, wagons and wheelchairs.

“Our most beloved & attended event!” the Madison Heights Neighborhood Association describes the celebration on its official calendar.

The block party will feature a Pie-N-Burger food truck, games, crafts, free ice cream for kids and music. The event is free and open to the public.

The Madison Heights Neighborhood Association is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations from residents to fund events and advocacy efforts. The organization offers contribution levels including Bronze ($30), Silver ($100), Gold ($250) and Platinum ($500).

Organizing the celebration costs over $7,000, primarily due to permitting, insurance, police services and table and chair rentals.

“Any donation you can make will help ensure we stay in the black and can keep doing events that bring our special neighborhood together, while also advocating for our concerns,” the association states.

The parade returned in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It was first held in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Ron Perlman and Allison Dunbar, described as “film & tv stars and Madison Heights residents,” served as grand marshals for the 2024 parade. Perlman’s acting credits include roles in “Hellboy,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “Pacific Rim” and “Beauty and the Beast” TV series. Dunbar has appeared in “The Sopranos,” “For All Mankind,” “Yellowstone” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”

Previous grand marshals included longtime neighborhood residents honored in 2023, retiring Councilmember Andy Wilson in 2022, and then-Police Chief John Perez in 2019.

“The parade is usually dominated — in terms of participants — by kids. So besides the Grand Marshall, there’ll be kids and their parents. We encourage everybody to dress up, decorate their bikes or scooters, or what have you, or strollers,” said Bill Doll, a board member with the Madison Heights Neighborhood Association.