Azalea Festival Brochure - South Gate

On February 25, 1965, five concerned South Gate residents met in the office of the Chamber of
Commerce to form the South Gate Beautification Committee. The first committee members included
Chamber
Manager William Green, Chamber President, Charles Benner, City Councilman Leland
Weaver, Mrs. Caryl Clearihue and Mrs. Don Sawyer, who was appointed Chairperson. Three objectives
were chosen for this first year: (1) naming an official City flower, (2) presenting awards for property
improvements, and (3) a City-wide clean and paint campaign. The Chairperson also expressed a desire for
the City of South Gate to host an event that would awaken civic pride and call attention to our fine City.
Within six months the Beautification Committee's membership grew to twenty members, determined to revitalize a seemingly
aging city. A few months later, with the help of Beautification Committee member Frank Ishida, the Azalea was adopted by the
City Council as South Gate's official flower. It was further recommended that the City host a civic event during the time when
Azaleas were in bloom leading to the City's first Azalea Festival.
It was on April 16-17, 1966 that the first Azalea Festival was held. Beginning that year, the Beautification Committee saw a
need to honor the women of the community who had volunteered their talents to improving South Gate's image. In that spirit, an
Azalea Queen has been crowned each year, who is at least sixty years old, and has served her community in numerous
capacities. Euphrosine Green was chosen the first Azalea Queen and has been followed by many more worthy and dedicated
Queens.
Selection of an Honor Court was started in 1967. Each service club and community organization is annually requested to
submit a volunteer of any age or sex, who best exemplifies their organization's commitment to serving the South Gate community. The third Azalea Festival in 1968 saw the addition of a Community Parade and a Grand Marshal, to honor a male senior
citizen who, like the Azalea Queen, had given significant time and energy to improve the community.
During the 1970's the Azalea Festival grew from its first two-day event to a week-long event, which included a carnival and was
preceded by a Queen's Reception. The 1980's saw greater involvement by the South Gate City Council and Parks and
Recreation Department in organizing and funding the Azalea Festival. It was also during this period that the Azalea Festival
expanded to almost two weeks, to include a variety of athletic tournaments.
In 1994, troubles were already brewing in city politics and an attempt was made by then Mayor Albert Robles to move the
Azalea Festival to May and make it a Cinco de Mayo festival. This attempt was adamantly rejected by all segments of the
community and the City Council backed down, restoring funding to the Azalea Festival.
Through the next decade, the Azalea Festival and the community organizations who organized it continued to feel the strain of
the communities changing demographics. With the community focus on the turmoil at City Hall, little was done to keep the
Azalea Festival up to date with the changing needs of the community. In 2005, the Azalea Festival was canceled all together.
A community recently united to drive corruption from City Hall only a few years earlier now rallied to save its Azalea Festival.
As we approach the 50th year of South Gate’s Azalea Festival, many of the events in this year’s
Azalea Festival are much different from those first few years. However, one aspect remains
true, the festival still reflects and celebrates what is best about our town and honors those who
devote their efforts to making it better.
Dear Residents,
It was an honor to serve as the 2014 Azalea Queen. The
highlight of my year as queen was attending the ribbon
cuttings and grand openings in the beautiful Azalea
shopping complex at Firestone and Atlantic. We are
fortunate to have such a variety of popular retail stores
and restaurants in South Gate. I encourage everyone to
join me and shop in South Gate!!
My reign as Queen will soon end when another deserving
woman, chosen for her outstanding volunteer service, is
crowned Azalea Queen 2015 at the Volunteer Recognition
event during the 50th Annual Azalea Festival in March.
Check out the Azalea Festival calendar and come join the
fun!!
Paula Grimes, 2014 Azalea Queen
The City of South Gate Parks & Recreation Department is please to be a part of the 50 th annual Azalea Festival. This year’s
event will include some of the historic events such as the Car Show as well as brand new events such as an Azalea Gardening
Workshop and an Agility Competition and Workshop at the City’s new Dog Park. In keeping with the purpose of the Azalea
Festival, the Taste of South Gate will highlight some of South Gate’s best new restaurants and the Teen Fashion Show will
display the latest fashion trends from our local designers, producers and retailers. The Youth Art Night will bring local artists
together with children from the community to share their talents and techniques with the next generation of South Gate Artists
and the Community Stage, located at the Carnival will display lots of local talent who are learning to sing, dance and perform
in classes sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department.
The highlight of the event is the Volunteer Recognition Event where local organizations will recognize those outstanding
community members who have volunteered their time and talents to help our residents and our community this past year. From
those nominated and recognized by their organization, a Youth Volunteer of the Year and an Adult Volunteer of the Year will
be selected and honored. Finally, an Azalea Queen and Grand Marshal will be chosen and crowned, to be honored throughout
the year for their lifetime of service to the community. A reception and dance will follow the ceremony.
With this being the 50th annual Azalea Festival, all of the participating groups and community members are working hard to
make sure that this is the best Azalea Festival yet. Every event will include something special to honor the fifty year
history. On Friday night, near the Carnival, the City will be sponsoring a Fireworks Display in honor of this events long
history with our community.
Hope we see you there!
Paul L. Adams,
Director of Parks & Recreation
March 18 - 22, 2015
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
18
19
20
21
22
Youth Art Night
Art Classes &
Exhibits
Ages 4-15
4:30p - 7:30p
Auditorium
FREE
Volunteer Recognition & Azalea
Queen/
Grand Marshall
Event
Auditorium
6p - 7p
Dancing
7:30p - 9:30
FREE
Taste of South Gate
Sample Delicacies
From Local
Restaurants
Auditorium
6p - 8p
Presale:
1x $15
2x $25
Azalea Plant
Workshop
Margaret Travis Sr.
Center
10 - 11am
FREE
Karate Invitational
Tournament
8a - 5p
Sports Center
$5 Adults
5 & under
Free
Carnival - Large
Quad
5p - 10p
Fireworks Display
Large Quad
8:30p
FREE
Carnival - Large
Quad 5p - 11p
Softball & Baseball
Tourney
Small Quad
9a - 5p
FREE
Dog Agility Course
Hollydale Dog Park
10am
FREE
Skate Demo at SG
Skate Park
(Ages 13-18)
11a - 3p
FREE
Miss Azaleita Contest
Girls Club House
(Girls 4-7)
1p - 3p
$3
Youth Fashion
Show
Auditorium
6p
$5
Carnival - Large
Quad 2p - 11p
For more information, call the Parks Administration Office at 323.563.5479
Softball & Baseball
Tourney
Small Quad
9a - 5p
FREE
Car Show
Golf Course
10a - 4pm
$12 Adults
12 & under $6
Community Stage
1p - 4pm
Carnival Area
FREE
Carnival - Large
Quad 2p - 10p
The South Gate Art Association
Invites all South Gate children to the
March 18, 2015
4:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 4-15
At the
South Gate Park Auditorium
4900 Southern Avenue
South Gate 90280
Have fun learning about fine art or how to create art with
sculpting clay. Discover the differences between acrylic and oil
paints, soft pastel and oil pastel; how to sketch with color
pencils or charcoal. Bring your family and friends!
All children must be accompanied by an adult
For more information, call Sharon King at 323.440.8357
You are cordially invited to the
Volunteer Recognition and
Azalea Queen & Grand Marshall
Coronation
Hosted by the South Gate Women’s Club
Join us on
Thursday, March 19, 2015
at 6:00 p.m.
Featuring Swing Band "Nine Carat Gold"
For your dancing and listening pleasure
7:30pm - 9:30pm
South Gate Park Municipal Auditorium
4900 Southern Avenue
South Gate, 90280
The event is free but tickets are required
For additional information, please call:
Ana Medina, 323-357-9645
City of South Gate Parks & Recreation Department
Come celebrate with the City of South Gate Community as
we begin our 50th Azalea Festival.
Enjoy a spectacular fireworks show presented by Pyro
Spectacular!
For more information please call the Parks Administration
Office at (323) 563-5479.
City of South Gate Parks & Recreation Department
Azalea Planting &
Care Workshop
SATURDAY March 21, 2015
10 - 11 AM - Free Admission
At MARGARET TRAVIS SENIOR CENTER
4855 Tweedy Blvd.
Hosted by the
Multicultural Women’s Club
Saturday, March 21, 2015
1:00 p.m.
South Gate Park ~ Girls Club House
The Miss Azalealita Contest is open to girls 4 to 7 years of age residing
in the City of South Gate.
Elementary schools are encouraged to participate by selecting a representative
Why Participate?
Miss Azalealita will have the opportunity to represent the City of South Gate
in community events, such as, the Azalea Festival Events, Community Stages,
Christmas Lane Parade, etc.
How is Miss Azalealita Chosen?
 Interviews: Judges will spend time with each contestant one week before
the event
 Talent: Must demonstrate a talent such as, singing, dancing, play an
instrument, artistic or physical ability, etc.
 Evening Gown competition: Each contestant must wear a gown
TO SIGN-UP, COMPLETE THE INFORMATION FORM ON THE BACK OF THIS FLYER
SIGN UP DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Participant Information
Requirements
 Be between the ages of 4 through 7
 Must be available to participate in community events (it is
encouraged to attend as many Azalea Festival events as possible)
 Have a friendly personality
 Have a talent (to be demonstrated during the talent portion of the
contest)
 Communicate well with others
Fill out this Information Form and return it to:
Yadira Bonilla, S.G. City Hall - Water Department, 8650 California Avenue, South Gate
There is no registration fee.
Name:
Parents Name:
Address:
Phone:
Age:
Grade:
School:
For more information, please contact Sonia Miranda at 323.365.5672