Everyone Loves the Fiesta Days Parade
Local Veteran, 100, Enthralls With Adventure Tales
Joe Giocomarra (center), a World War II veteran of the Merchant Marine who turned 100 on Monday, rode in this year’s Fiesta Days parade after introducing himself at the Memorial Ceremony in the park beforehand.
For the past couple decades, over glasses of wine or the occasional margarita, Joe Giocomarra has regaled his pal Tom Caulfield with tales of his fascinating, improbable life.
Giocomarra, one of only about 558,000 World War II veterans still living, turned 100 on Memorial Day.
“I have the privilege of reaching 100,” Giocomarra said. “That’s a privilege a lot of people don’t [have]. And, I don’t know, I really shouldn’t be here.”
Giocomarra retains vivid memories of the war, when he served with the U.S. Merchant Marine, a collection of ships populated by civilian volunteers transporting materials, supplies, equipment and troops to help fight and win World War II. Continue reading “Local Veteran, 100, Enthralls With Adventure Tales”
LCF Commemorates Memorial Day With Fiesta, Tribute
Boy Scouts from Troops 502 and 507 raise the flag during the annual Memorial Ceremony in the park.
As has long been a cherished staple of life in La Cañada Flintridge, residents came together to celebrate their community with a multi-day party this past weekend for the 45th edition of Fiesta Days.
Together, neighbors enjoyed a host of activities, including fireworks, food, music and, on Memorial Day, thousands showed up to watch or participate in the colorful, patriotic parade.
But before that, as has been tradition since 1976, a couple hundred people took a pause from the festivities to pay tribute to sacrifices made by U.S. military personnel in the line of duty, including the 29 with LCF roots who died in combat and whose names adorn plaques in Memorial Park. Continue reading “LCF Commemorates Memorial Day With Fiesta, Tribute”
Senior Center to Host Memorial Day Barbecue
Memorial Day is a time to honor the nation’s military heroes. A Memorial Day barbecue and dance will take place on Monday, May 28, at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St., from noon-2:30 p.m. Doors will open at 11:45 a.m.
Continue reading “Senior Center to Host Memorial Day Barbecue”
A Day of Remembrance and Festivities at LCF’s Fiesta Days
Local Boy Scouts (left) raise an American flag during Monday’s annual Memorial Service at Memorial Park. Afterward, Harper Klausner (right) and Greyson Molinelli were among the stars of the Fiesta Days parade that rolled down Foothill Boulevard, highlighting the 44th Fiesta Days celebration in La Cañada Flintridge.
La Cañada Flintridge partied this past weekend, but it also paused to reflect.
For the 44th consecutive year, thousands got together in LCF for the annual four-day fiesta that culminated Monday morning with a somber memorial service followed by a lively, patriotic parade.
The Memorial Service honored not only the 29 LCF residents whose names are engraved on plaques at Memorial Park for having given their lives in military service, but all American service members, former and current, who have made great sacrifices on behalf of their fellow citizens. Continue reading “A Day of Remembrance and Festivities at LCF’s Fiesta Days”
LCF’s Enduring Heroes Statue Unveiled on Memorial Day
Hundreds of supporters joined families and dignitaries at a moving Memorial Day ceremony to commemorate the unveiling of the Enduring Heroes statue in Pasadena.
The 8-foot bronze sculpture, stationed prominently in Defenders Park, on the corner of Colorado and Orange Grove boulevards, will serve as a tribute to the 11 area soldiers — including five with La Cañada Flintridge ties — who gave their lives over the past 15 years in Afghanistan and Iraq. Continue reading “LCF’s Enduring Heroes Statue Unveiled on Memorial Day”
Enduring Heroes Statue Dedication Includes LCF Gold Star Families
On Memorial Day, Pasadena will unveil a statue that will serve as an enduring, everyday reminder of the 11 area soldiers — including five with La Cañada Flintridge ties — who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past 15 years.
“So few carry a burden for so many,” said Jaynie Studenmund, a resident of LCF whose son, Scott, a Green Beret, was killed in Gaza Village, Afghanistan, on June 9, 2014. Continue reading “Enduring Heroes Statue Dedication Includes LCF Gold Star Families”
Festivities and Solemnity at LCF’s Fiesta Days
For an hour and a half Monday, La Cañada Flintridge took a break from its annual four-day-long fiesta to mark the most solemn of holidays with song and speech in tribute to American service members lost in the nation’s wars. Continue reading “Festivities and Solemnity at LCF’s Fiesta Days”