South Pasadena Announces Full Lineup for Festival of Balloons Parade

The City of South Pasadena has unveiled the complete lineup for its annual Festival of Balloons Parade, featuring over 40 community groups and organizations marching on July 4.

This year’s theme, “Unity in Community: One Nation, One Neighborhood,” celebrates the civic pride and neighborly spirit that define South Pasadena’s Independence Day tradition.

The parade steps off at 11 a.m. from Diamond Avenue, traveling along Mission Street to Garfield Park. Leading the parade are Cub Scout Troop 139 and the South Pasadena High School Minuteman Band, followed by Mike Sandford as Uncle Sam. Fire Chief Llyod and the South Pasadena Fire Department will march alongside Tournament of Roses and Festival of Balloons Poster Contest Winners.

The day’s festivities begin with the Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Fire Station on 817 Mound Avenue. The Opening Ceremony takes place at 10:30 a.m. at the Public Library Community Room on 1115 El Centro Street. Following the parade, celebrations continue at Garfield Park until 2:30 p.m. with family-friendly games, live DJ, and food vendors.

The day concludes with a firework show at South Pasadena High School Stadium at 1401 Fremont Avenue. Gates open at 7 p.m. followed by a live concert featuring Faultline from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The firework show begins at 9 p.m. Online presale tickets are available until 6 p.m. on July 4 for $15 per person at www.southpasadenaca.gov/events. Door tickets are $20 per person. Children two years and under are free.

Political representatives participating include Mayor Janet Braun, Mayor Pro Tem Sheila Rossi, Councilmember Jon Primuth, Councilmember Michael A. Cacciotti, Councilmember Omari Ferguson, Assemblymember Mike Fong, and Congresswoman Judy Chu. Police Chief Solinsky will also participate.

Community organizations represented include the Senior Citizens Foundation, Amateur Radio Club, Educational Foundation, The Ostrich Club of Garfield Avenue, Juggling Club, Rise Up and Dance, Public Library Summer Reading Program, Little League, and school district leadership. Additional participants include the Oneonta Club Foundation, High School Class of 2005, Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, Community Garden, SportsClips Haircuts, Persistence Gymnastics, Women’s Club, Kaldi Coffee and Tea, and Monterey Hills School Dual Immersion Spanish Program.

Scout groups Pack 7 Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts will march with community groups South Pasadena DUDES, Vecinos de South Pasadena, AYSO Region 214, and the Masonic Lodge. The parade concludes with A New Declaration, Model T Ford Club of America, Kiwanis Club, Trompers of Eagle Rock Car Club, Rotary Club, and Arroyo Seco Stables.

For more information, visit www.southpasadenaca.gov.