Photo: FLLewis/Media City G — “Rise Up” from the City of Burbank wins Leishman Public Spirit Award at Rose Parade in Pasadena January 1, 2020.
Rose Parade float winner on display in Burbank today. “Rise Up” won the 2020 Leishman Public Spirit Award for the most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial float builder in the 131st Tournament of Roses Parade, on Wednesday, January 1. Burbank has won numerous awards at the Rose Parade, however, this is the first time it has taken home the Leishman Public Spirit Award.
On the Burbank float, a large Phoenix, named Paradise, is shown rising from the ashes of the California wildfires in 2018. That fire season is considered the deadliest and most destructive in state history, burning almost 2 million acres and causing 100 fatalities, according to Cal Fire.
The city of Paradise, 90 miles north of Sacramento in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, was 95 percent destroyed by the rampaging flames of the Camp Fire in November of 2018. More than 85 deaths were attributed to that fire, at least half of those who lost their lives were in Paradise. Over 18,000 structures, most of them homes, were left in ruins.
Starting today and running through Sunday, January 5, “Rise Up” will be on display for viewing by the public at the corner of Glenoaks Blvd. and Olive Ave. in Burbank from 11 am until around 7 pm. The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association is hosting the event. It is free. That group organizes the volunteers and the fundraising events, which support the building of the Burbank Rose Parade float.
