Terry Madigan Named Volunteer of the Year
The International Festivals & Events Association honored the Pasadena leader for his decades of service.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Cultural
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The International Festivals & Events Association has named Terry Madigan its 2026 Volunteer of the Year. The award recognizes his long-standing commitment to the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena.
Why it matters
This award honors a career defined by leadership and service that has directly supported the growth and execution of the Tournament of Roses. It highlights the critical role of volunteers in sustaining large-scale community cultural events.
Tournament of Roses members provide more than 80,000 volunteer hours annually. Madigan has been part of this effort since 1993, eventually serving as a chair in 2010 and a director in 2013.
The players
Terry Madigan
He is the president of the Tournament of Roses and a long-time volunteer.
International Festivals & Events Association
This organization represents festival and event professionals and manages the annual volunteer award.
Tournament of Roses
This Pasadena-based organization produces the annual Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game.
The details
The award was presented during the 71st annual convention and expo held in Tucson, Arizona. Madigan was previously confirmed as president of the Tournament of Roses on January 15, 2026.
Timeline
Madigan began his volunteer career with the Tournament of Roses in 1993.
He was appointed as a Tournament chair in 2010.
Madigan began serving as a Tournament director in 2013.
He was confirmed as Tournament president on January 15, 2026.
The award was presented on October 5, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This award highlights the evolving professionalization of volunteer management within the event industry. It underscores how major festivals now rely on structured leadership hierarchies to maintain their community operations.
Residents of Pasadena can expect the continuation of established traditions managed by this leadership. The volunteer-driven nature of the event ensures that local community participation remains a cornerstone of the upcoming parade and game.
The takeaway
Recognizing long-term volunteers highlights the necessity of sustained personal dedication in managing large-scale public traditions. Prospective community volunteers can look to established members like Madigan as a roadmap for leadership development within civic organizations.
What happens next
The 138th Rose Parade and the 113th Rose Bowl Game are both scheduled to take place on January 1, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural events in our Pasadena Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pasadena Now.
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