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Temple City Camellia Festival History
Arcadia Weekly Jan 12, 2012
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-Photo by Terry Miller
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In 1944 a contest held by the Woman’s Club of Temple City brought forth a slogan “Temple City, Home of Camellias”, from which stemmed our Camellia Festival.
Through some energetic citizens of this community, Temple City put its newly chosen slogan to work; not only to beautify the town but to inspire entire families to participate in the affairs of the community.
It was in recognition of the significance of family life to its residents that the Camellia Festival was founded. The festival, which has attracted national recognition in ensuing years, is sponsored by the City of Temple City. Its purpose is to encourage every youngster in the community to belong to one of the recognized youth organizations and to participate in the affairs of their community. Only by “belonging” are they eligible to enter the Camellia Festival Parade, held the last Saturday of February each year. A royal family of ten happy first graders reign over the festivities. The Royalty Coronation is held the first Friday of February to which the public is invited.
The first year the parade started with a handful of youngsters, who tossed Camellia Blossoms to the viewers, and it has grown in size and significance to the point that Temple City readies itself to welcome more that 5,000 children in its parade each year and to greet more than 20,000 visitors to the city.
Floats throughout the parade are beautifully decorated in Camellias and carry the theme of the year; all work is done by the youth. Pride in the festival goes so deep that commercial floats are not allowed in the parade, and many business people close their doors during the event in order that everyone may enjoy this outstanding community affair.
A carnival is now part of the three-day festivities, where the public may
enjoy the hometown atmosphere in beautiful Temple City Park at Golden West Avenue and Las Tunas Drive, while they participate in games booths and food booths, manned by local service and youth organizations.
An Art Show for Junior and Senior High School Students was held as part of the festival from 1969 through 2002.
Community minded individuals and groups take on a myriad of necessary duties involved. Each service and civic organization in town through volunteering has been assigned a specific phase of the festival and the entire community goes all out for the benefit of its children.
This is a community event – volunteers are welcomed, (626) 285-2171 extension 2350.
