One can always spot a Sierra Madre resident, for their car license plate frame will say, “Foothill Village.” The residents of Sierra Madre all volunteer and work towards giving Sierra Madre a small-town feel. When strolling through the cute downtown, filled with quaint shops and restaurants, or walking one’s children or dogs, those passing tend to say “Hello and how are you?” Sierra Madre has the only all volunteer fire department and search and rescue team in all of Los Angeles County. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Sierra Madre is home to the largest blossoming plant in the world, the Chinese wisteria vine, which covers approximately one acre. An annual “Wisteria Vine” festival draws thousands of visitors to this sleepy foothill village. Sierra Madre boasts a strong arts community, to which the annual Art Show and Fair can attest. The architecture is varied and therefore the town is frequently used for filming locations. Sierra Madre’s public school system is part of the Pasadena Unified School District. The area also boasts many fine private schools.