Float riders reflect on their rainy Rose Parade experience: ‘One big jolt of ‘Wow!’

For the Eaton and Palisades fire survivors on the “Rising Together” float, a wet and cold ride down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day was a one-of-a-kind experience.

“After all we’ve been through this year, a torrential rainstorm felt like nothing,” said Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network. “If anything, it was a reminder that we are still here. And somewhere along the way, we are becoming tough as nails.”

California Community Foundation and Black Freedom...