Fourth of July in South Pasadena | July 4th, 2023 Festival of Balloons

It was a picture perfect day in South Pasadena for the city’s Festival of Balloons Fourth of July festivities. A tradition started in 1982 by civic leaders Ted and Joan Shaw and David Margrave, the Festival of Balloons has become one of the city’s defining events of the year. The theme for this year’s festival was “Red, White, and Blue – Bold Stripes, Bright Stars, and Brave Hearts Too”.

It all kicks off in the early morning hours as folks eagerly line up at the Fire Station for the delicious Kiwanis pancake breakfast. Kiwanis members look like professional chefs cranking out hundreds of pancakes for revelers to get their carbs on for the day. Assemblymember Mike Fong was in attendance, along with Assemblymember Chris Holden, city council members, firefighters, city chamber members along with hundreds of South Pasadenans.

Next up is the opening ceremony held on the steps of the library community room where Mayor Jon Primuth welcomed the crowd and introduced the parade’s Grand Marshall, Bill Suter, a 101 year-old WWII Navy veteran and longtime South Pasadenan. Attending dignitaries were introduced – Assemblymember Mike Fong, South Pasadena councilmembers, school board members, City Manager Arminé Chaparyan, Sen. Anthony Portantino, and Congresswoman Judy Chu. The winners of the 4^th of July poster contest were also recognized.

At 11am, the parade begins at Diamond Avenue, traveling down Mission Street and ending at Garfield Park. We’re not sure who said it first, but of the parade it is often said that if you live in South Pasadena you’re either in the parade, or watching the parade – and this year was no different. It truly felt like a full return to normal with locals dressed in all manner of red, white, and blue – waving flags and calling out to one another. There was our red fire engine no. 81, vintage cars carrying dignitaries waving with their families, members of SPEF, AYSO, Little League, Arroyo Seco Stables, South Pasadena High School band, local nonprofits – 42 entries in all.

Everyone ends up at Garfield Park where the South Pasadena High School band continued to entertain and folks could partake in all manner of games and food booths and a live concert by L.A. band, U.S. 99.

Around 7pm people start to trickle in to the SPHS stadium for more music and entertainment as they await the 9pm firework spectacular set to patriotic music. This year, due to construction being conducted on the field, spectators sat in the stands, but that didn’t stop an enthusiastic crowd from enjoying the show – not only from the stands but from the adjacent streets as well.

Looks like a happy, safe, and joyous 4^th of July was had by all. See you next year!

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