Tournament of Roses Announces Details of Third Annual Día de los Muertos Art Competition

Saturday, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced the display of three public altars to honor Día de los Muertos. Two altars will celebrate the lives of prominent Pasadena community members John J. Kennedy and Canto “TNT” Robledo. A third altar will celebrate the 134-year history of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association including the Rose Parade presented by Honda and the Rose Bowl Game.

All three will be available for the public to view at Tournament House beginning October 29, as part of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Día de los Muertos art competition.

One of the most significant traditions associated with the Día de los Muertos cultural celebration is the decoration of personalized, homemade altars or ofrendas, dedicated to the memory of the departed. Altars are comprised of personal and symbolic items, and each is unique in its own way. Traditional altars and ofrendas share a series of common elements, such as sugar skulls, marigold flowers, food, drinks, some of the loved one’s personal belongings, candles, water and copal (incense).

 

“We applaud the Pasadena Tournament of Roses for continuing to embrace and collaborate regarding the Día de los Muertos Art Competition and cultural holiday by displaying altars that are meaningful and significant, reflective of our local community heroes,” said Ramon Miramontes, Chair of the Día de los Muertos Art Competition Honorary Host Committee. “We welcome anyone expressing willingness to temporarily share a personal item, picture or note by displaying it on the ofrenda of John Kennedy or Canto, to contact us before October 15.”

 

The John J. Kennedy Community Altar, sponsored by Berlinda Brown and Ramon Miramontes. The Honorable John J. Kennedy recently passed away on July 21, 2022, while serving as the Pasadena Councilmember for District 3. He was a student of Pasadena Unified School District, president of the student body at Blair High School and the youngest NAACP Pasadena Branch president, among other significant achievements in his impressive public career.

 

The Canto “TNT” Robledo Community Altar, sponsored by the Robledo Family, the Canto Robledo Youth Foundation and the Pasadena Mexican American History Association. Canto is a local Pasadena icon, having been the first and only blind boxing manager and trainer in the United States. During his almost 60-year career, he changed the lives of hundreds of young people by being an inspirational role model and mentor to kids and young adults seeking guidance, purpose and mentorship. More information on the life of the local Pasadena hero is documented in the book, “Blood on the Canvas: The Life & Legacy of Boxing Icon, Canto “TNT” Robledo” by Joseph C. Robledo.

 

“The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is honored to celebrate the lives of two extraordinary men from the Pasadena community,” said David Eads, Pasadena Tournament of Roses Executive Director/CEO. “As part of the Día de los Muertos Art Competition, the altars offer a way for us to reflect and honor the traditions of Día de los Muertos and to reflect on the history of the Association.”  

 

Those who would like to contribute a photo for one of the altars, send by October 15 to Pasadena Tournament of Roses, 391 S. Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91184 or send an email to the Community Relations department at CRdepartment@tournamentofroses.com.

 

The altars are part of the third annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Día de los Muertos Art Competition. Students between the ages of 4 and 18 are encouraged to submit, please visit tournamentofroses.com for details and deadlines.