In a spirited celebration of creativity and community, the City of South Pasadena and the South Pasadena Arts Council (SPARC) have announced the winners of the 2025 Festival of Balloons Poster Contest, showcasing the talents of local fifth-grade students from Arroyo Vista, Monterey Hills, Marengo, and Holy Family schools.
Theme Celebrates Unity in the Community
This year’s poster theme, “Unity in Community: One Nation, One Neighborhood,” inspired 102 entries, each highlighting the imagination and artistic skill of South Pasadena’s youth. After evaluating creativity, originality, and theme interpretation, seven finalists were selected.
Winners Selected by City Council
From the finalists, the South Pasadena City Council selected three winners:
- First Place: Yunyi Che, Monterey Hills Elementary School
- Second Place: Alyssa Kim, Marengo Elementary School
- Third Place: Peter Koehler, Holy Family Catholic School
These winners will be recognized during the 4th of July Festival of Balloons, where they will ride in the parade and receive complimentary tickets to the City’s fireworks celebration for themselves and their families.
New Gallery Venue Enhances Poster Display
In a change from tradition, all poster submissions will now be exhibited at the SPARC Gallery from July 1–8, offering the public a curated and protected view of the student artwork. This new format replaces the former outdoor displays along Mission Street to better preserve the pieces.
Community members are invited to visit the SPARC Gallery and experience the full collection. For exhibit hours and updates, follow @SouthPasadenaArtCouncil on Instagram.
A Message from the Mayor
“Our City is incredibly proud of our July 4th traditions and celebrations,” said Mayor Braun. “Thank you to all the young artists who participated. Every entry reflected the incredible talent, creativity, and patriotic spirit of our students. Congratulations to this year’s winners!”
Learn More
To explore more about the 4th of July Festival of Balloons, visit
www.southpasadenaca.gov/events
For updates from the City of South Pasadena, follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube, or visit www.southpasadenaca.gov
