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Get ready to pull out the red, white and blue.
A heavy dose of patriotism will mark Fourth of July in South Pasadena. An important date in U.S. history, July 4, 1776, was the day the United States adopted the Declaration Independence and that’s reason enough to declare it a national holiday, celebrate America and let the good times roll.
South Pasadena doesn’t pull any punches. It’s family fun from sun up to sun down.
“We’re a small town in a large metropolitan area and every year are reminded of the values we grew up with and pass along to our children,” said Joe Payne, the Festival of Balloons’ parade chair, noting the entire city gets involved in the parade. “We like to joke, with some seriousness, that half the city is in the parade and the other half watches.”
The festive event in South Pasadena starts at 7 a.m. with an annual pancake breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club, followed by the parade’s opening ceremonies on the footsteps of the library community room at 10:30 a.m., and the 11 a.m. parade down historic Mission Street. Kids, joined by moms and dad, are decked out in scout uniforms and sports jerseys representing a myriad organizations, from the local library reading program, and the South Pasadena Educational Foundation to Little League, AYSO and many more.
Committee members have selected the theme: “To the Moon and Beyond – 50 Years of Exploring America’s Freedom,” marking the country’s initial landing on the moon on July 20, 1969.
Dozens of posters along the parade route created by fifth grade students in the South Pasadena Unified School District and Holy Family School add significantly to the nostalgic, Norman Rockwell feel of the day. The posters incorporate the yearly theme along with Independence Day images.
After the parade, the fun continues with a variety of games and activities for kids and plenty of food on sale in Garfield Park. During the afternoon hours, crowds will begin to fill up Roosevelt Field at South Pasadena High in anticipation of the fireworks show slated around 9 p.m.
The following provides everything you need to know as the 4th of July approaches, including where to buy tickets for the pancake breakfast and fireworks show.
2019 Fourth of July Festival of Balloons
“To the Moon and Beyond – 50 Years of Exploring America’s Freedom”
The City of South Pasadena is celebrating its 38th annual Festival of Balloons.
Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast
Location: South Pasadena Fire Station, 817 Mound Avenue (enter on Hope Street, between Fremont Avenue and Mound Avenue)
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Pancake Breakfast Tickets, Day of: $8.00 per person, kids under 6 years old eat for free.
Pancake Breakfast Tickets, Presale (Beginning 6/20): $8.00 per person, kids under 6 years old eat for free.
- South Pasadena Fire Station, 817 Mound Avenue
- South Pasadena Senior Center, 1102 Oxley Street
- Bristol Farms, 606 Fair Oaks Avenue
- Charlie’s Coffee House, 266 Monterey Road
- Dinosaur Farm, 1510 Mission Street
- Mission Framing, 1501 Mission Street
- Re-Imagine Your Home, 1518 Mission Street
- UPS Store, 1107 Fair Oaks Avenue
- South Pasadena-San Marino YMCA, 1605 Garfield Avenue
- Jones Coffee Roasters, 1006 Mission Street
Opening Ceremony
Location: South Pasadena Library Community Room – lawn, 1115 El Centro Street
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Parade
Location: Mission Street, from Diamond Avenue to Garfield Park
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Parade Entry: Download the Parade Registration packet (please follow registration submission instructions in the packet).
Celebration at Garfield Park
Location: Garfield Park, 1750 Mission Street
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Details: Games, food, and activities
Location: South Pasadena High School, 1401 Fremont Avenue.
Time: 9:00 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
Details: Food vendors will be on site at the show. Pets are not allowed
- Stadium – Alcohol and glass bottles are not allowed in the stadium.
- Field – Only water is permitted on the field, no food. Rounded bottom chairs only on the field (narrow legs/feet of camping chairs will damage the turf).
Fireworks Tickets, Presale (Beginning 6/20): $10.00 per person. Kids under 3 years old are free:
- South Pasadena Fire Station, 817 Mound Avenue
- South Pasadena Senior Center, 1102 Oxley Street
- Bristol Farms, 606 Fair Oaks Avenue
- Charlie’s Coffee House, 266 Monterey Road
- Dinosaur Farm, 1510 Mission Street
- Mission Framing, 1501 Mission Street
- Re-Imagine Your Home, 1518 Mission Street
- UPS Store, 1107 Fair Oaks Avenue
- South Pasadena-San Marino YMCA, 1605 Garfield Avenue
- Jones Coffee Roasters, 1006 Mission Street
Fireworks Tickets, Day of (July 4, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.): $10.00 per person. Kids under 3 years old are free:
- At the Pancake Breakfast (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
- At City Hall / Fair Oaks & Mission (11:00 a.m. to finish of Parade)
- At Garfield Park (12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Fireworks Tickets, At the Gate (July 4, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.): $13.00 per person. Kids under 3 years old are free.
