The City of El Monte, local businesses and community members will come together Saturday, Oct. 18 to host the 20th Annual Emily Ishigaki Children’s Day Parade and Harvest Festival with Grand Marshal Vera Jimenez, Emmy award-winning journalist for KTLA Channel 5 News.
Jimenez – who has earned two Emmy awards, three Golden Mike awards and three Golden Pylons – has also worked for KABC 7 and KCBS 2. She currently works as meteorologist and traffic reporter for KTLA Channel 5 News at 6 and 10 p.m.
The parade and festival celebrate youth from local school districts by providing them a forum to showcase their talents and realize their significance in the El Monte community. Past parades have attracted more than 10,000 guests, and the event honors 4,000 children annually.
“The Children’s Day Parade and Harvest Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year in the City of El Monte,” said El Monte City Councilwoman and parade co-chair Norma Macias. “Our City is filled with hopeful, talented and intelligent children. This is their opportunity to shine, and the event also offers our community the opportunity to unite and take pride in El Monte.”
The Harvest Festival at Arceo Park will include free bikes, helmets, GameStop gift certificate giveaways, performances by parade participants, rides, bouncers and two cash awards for the Most Spirited Award.
“The parade will showcase our rich, multicultural community’s children,” said El Monte City Councilman and parade co-chair Juventino “J” Gomez. “It is especially significant to see the community and our local businesses rally behind this event because they believe in its purpose and look forward to enjoying the celebration.”
The Children’s Day Parade and Harvest Festival, a City of El Monte event, is supported by the City Council, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, Public Works, the Police Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Downtown El Monte Business Association.
The parade will begin at the Valley Mall and Tyler Avenue at 10:15 a.m. and will travel south on Tyler Avenue and end at Arceo Park. The event is scheduled to end at 1:30 p.m.
Parade applications are due by Thursday, Oct. 2 and should be mailed to Lisa Del Real at 3130 Tyler Ave., El Monte CA 91731. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, call Parks and Recreation officeMonday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at (626) 580-2200.
