SOUTH GATE — The city will conduct its 44th annual Azalea Festival from March 13 to 22, with most of the activities set for different locations in South Gate Park, 4900 Southern Ave.

The community celebration will include a carnival, car show, athletic contests, programs by civic organizations, highlighted by the crowning of the Azalea queen and a parade marshal, who are senior citizens, on March 15; and their junior counterpart, Ms. Azaleita, for girls ages 4 to 6 on March 14.

All events are open to the public.

A parade, conducted in past years, has been dropped this year.

Azalea queens must be at least age 55, live in South Gate and have at least 20 years of service and dedication to the community, said Nellie Cobos, assistant to City Manager Ron Bates.

Selected candidates must be available to participate in Azalea Festival events, as well as attend grand openings, ribbon cuttings and other special city functions held during the year, Cobos said.

The Azalea Festival schedule includes a Celebration of Youth Dinner and a National Championship Performance by South Gate Youth Football Cheer Teams, held in the South Gate Park Auditorium March 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is $6.

The Azalea Festival Golf Tournament will be held March 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Par 3 Golf Course at South Gate Park. Registration is $10 for youngsters and $15 for adults.

The Ms. Azaleita Contest sponsored by the South Gate Multicultural Women’s Club at the Girls Club House in South Gate Park will be March 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $3 and includes lunch.

The Azalea Car Show, sponsored by the South Gate Chamber of Commerce, will be March 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at South Gate Park, with more than 100 vehicles on display. There will be music, food and awards. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for those age 12 and under.

The Azalea Queen Coronation, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce will be held March 15 at 4 p.m., followed by the Rotary Club dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the South Gate Park Auditorium and Banquet Room. Cost of the dinner is $7.

The Optimist Club Dinner and Youth Appreciation Night will be held March 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the South Gate Park Auditorium. Admission is $7.

Art Night will be sponsored by the Tweedy Mile Merchants March 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the South Gate Park Auditorium. It includes free art classes, art exhibits and an art contest for children 4 to 15 . Admission is free.

The Teen Challenge Dinner will be held March 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the South Gate Park Banquet Room. A tri-tip steak dinner will be served to adults with free pizza for kids under 8 with a paid adult. Cost for the adult dinner is $7.

The Inter-Club Lunch, sponsored by the Multicultural Women’s Club, will be March 18, from noon to 2 p.m. in the South Gate Park Auditorium. It is open to members of all nonprofit organizations in the city. Cost is $12 per person.

Boy Scouts Dinner and Order of the Arrow Award will be March 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the South Gate Park Auditorium. It features an enchilada dinner and entertainment. Cost is $6 if ordered in advance and $7 at the door.

A carnival will be held in South Gate Park from March 19 to 22. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. March 19, noon to 11 p.m. March 20 and March 21; and 2 to 10 p.m. March 22.

The fourth annual Youth Fashion Show, conducted by Miranda Runway Productions and South Gate ROCKS, will be held March 20 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the South Gate Park Auditorium. It features fashions from local businesses. Cost is $5.

Softball and baseball tournaments featuring teams from the South Gate Junior Athletic Association will be held at South Gate Park March 21 at 11 a.m. Admission is free.

The Higher Ground Skate Contest will be held March 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Gate Skate Park. Sponsored by Teen Challenge, the contest is for teens from 13 to 18 with prizes and food. Admission is free.

A Punt, Pass and Kick Contest, sponsored by South Gate Youth Football and Cheer, will be held March 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for elementary and middle school students at South Gate Park.

The Life in Art of Frida Kahlo, presented by Gregorio Luke of Club Guadalajara USA, will be held March 21 at 6 p.m. in the South Gate Park Auditorium. Cost is $10 for adults. Children are admitted for free.

The Azalea Queen and Grand Marshal will be presented March 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of the carnival. Community Stage Performances by local talent and sponsored by the South Gate Police Department will be featured. Admission is free.

A karate tournament sponsored by the International Karate Federation will be held March 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — at the South Gate Park Sports Center.
Information: (323) 563-5479.