From its humble beginnings 69 years ago with a handful of people tossing camellia blossoms to bystanders along Las Tunas Drive, the annual Camellia festival now sees over 5,000 children and many more adults in its parade last Saturday morning. While there were far more participating in the parade than actually watching the annual spectacle, Temple City did however turn out in force for the events in the city park.
A Royal Court of first graders reigned over the weekend’s festivities. The Royal Court of very young people was selected during the Royalty Contest Play Day held at the Live Oak Park Community Center in January. The Royal Court’s float was pulled along Las Tunas, as is tradition, by Temple City High school students .
Bands from area cities, homage to Chinese New Year with Lion Dancers and a flyover by a vintage bi-plane completed a picture perfect morning parade the theme of which was “ Once in a Lifetime”
