Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Chris Holden’s Annual Block Party and Resource Fair Returns to Pasadena Aug. 1 With Eaton Fire Recovery Focus

Chris Holden will be throwing a block party again this year.

Holden— former Pasadena mayor and assemblymember and current head of LA Fire Justice, a Pasadena-based legal and community advocacy coalition—has a tradition of hosting an annual community block party and resource fair and announced it will return to the 500 block of East Jackson Street in Pasadena on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The free event is being presented by LA Fire Justice, the coalition Holden leads as chief executive. The block party has been a community tradition for nearly three decades.

This year’s fair is organized around recovery from the Eaton Fire, the January 2025 wildfire that devastated Altadena and damaged parts of Pasadena and Sierra Madre. LA Fire Justice said the gathering will combine the block party’s festival elements with resource tables aimed at helping displaced residents and affected businesses rebuild.

The event typically draws residents from Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre.

The venue sits on East Jackson Street between Los Robles Avenue and El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. In the release, Holden said the event carries added significance this year because of what the community has experienced since the fire, describing the party as a chance to gather, mark the area’s resilience and connect residents with rebuilding resources.

The program includes a performance by Jon B., the R&B singer who grew up in Pasadena. Jon B., born Jonathan Buck, received a Grammy nomination for best pop collaboration with vocals for “Someone to Love,” his 1995 duet with Babyface, and later recorded “They Don’t Know” and “Are U Still Down,” the latter featuring Tupac Shakur. The release states that KBLA radio’s James Farr will host and that local mariachis will perform.

According to the release, the fair will feature more than 60 resource tables staffed by state, county and local organizations, a farmers market zone, a “rebuild zone” with fire-recovery information, a wellness area offering mental and physical health support, and a mobile health clinic providing on-site medical services.

A bilingual team, including Spanish-speaking attorney Maribel Medina, will help Spanish-speaking survivors understand their rights and recovery options, the release said.

Organizers say elected officials are expected to attend, including U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, whose 28th Congressional District includes Pasadena and Altadena. 

Family activities listed in the release include a kids’ zone with a jumper, games and activities, food trucks, and adoptable pets from a humane society. Organizers say local Pasadena and Altadena vendors and artisans will sell clothing, candles, oil paintings, handmade art pieces and accessories, and that some participating businesses were affected by the fire.

The release names participating groups including the Altadena Farmers Market, Shepherds Door, the Altadena Historical Society, YWCA San Gabriel and California Botanic Garden, along with recovery organizations such as United Policyholders and City First Bank.

Holden is a former mayor of Pasadena and served on the Pasadena City Council. He represented the 41st District in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2024 and now serves as chief executive of LA Fire Justice.

The event is free and open to the public. More information is available at LAFireJustice.com.