Story Created:
Mar 12, 2010 at 1:10 PM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 12, 2010 at 1:10 PM PST
SOUTH GATE — The city’s annual Azalea Festival opens Saturday, kicking off a week of athletic events, lunches and dinners, a fashion show, a car show and the crowning of the Azalea Festival queen and grand marshal.
Most events take place at South Gate Park, 4900 Southern Ave.
A four-day carnival runs March 18-21 at the park. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m., March 18, 5 to 11 p.m. March 19, 2 to 11 p.m. March 20 and 2 to 10 p.m. March 21.
All events are open to the public and some are free, said Nellie Cobos, aide to City Manager Ron Bates.
The schedule includes:
• Saturday: The Miss Azaleita Contest for girls ages 4 to 6, sponsored by the South Gate Multicultural Women’s Club, 1 p.m. at the Girls’ Clubhouse in the park. Cost is $3 and includes lunch. Also Saturday are three golf tournaments, Texas Scramble style from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the South Gate Park Golf Course. Cost is $25 for one player, $35 for a parent and child.
• Sunday: A classic car, bike and hot rod show, with food and live music runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at South Gate Park, Tweedy Boulevard at Walnut Street. Admission is $5 for adults. It is sponsored by the South Gate Chamber of Commerce. The Azalea queen and grand marshal coronation take place at 4 p.m. at the Girls’ Clubhouse, also sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The coronation dinner follows at 5 p.m., sponsored by the South Gate Rotary Club. Cost is $7.
• Monday: The Optimist Club dinner and Youth Appreciation Night runs from 5 to 8 p.m. in the South Gate Park Banquet Room. Cost is $7 per person.
• Tuesday: Art Night, sponsored by the Tweedy Mile Association, runs from 4 to 7 p.m. at the South Gate Park Auditorium. Admission and art classes are free. There is an art exhibition for children ages 4 to 15. The Teen Challenge Dinner is from 4 to 7 p.m. in the banquet room. Cost is $7 for dinner and free pizza for children under 8 with paid adult.
• Wednesday: The Volunteer Recognition Luncheon is from noon to 2 p.m. in the South Gate Park Auditorium, hosted by the South Gate Rotary Club and nonprofit groups to honor volunteers, $12. From 5 to 7 p.m. there is the Boy Scouts Dinner and Order of the Arrow awards, with food and entertainment in the auditorium. Cost is $6 in advance, $7 at the door.
• March 20: The fifth annual Youth Fashion Show is at 6 p.m. in the auditorium, conducted by Miranda Runway Productions. Admission is $5. Also the Higher Ground Skateboard competition is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Gate Park skating structure, off Hildreth Avenue, with food and prizes for competing teens ages 13 to 18, sponsored by Teen Challenge. Admission is free to spectators. Casino Night from 6 to 10 p.m. will be held at the American Legion Hall, California Avenue at Duane Street, sponsored by the Chamber or Commerce. Admission is $20.
• March 20-21: A softball and baseball tournament, starts at 8 a.m. in South Gate Park off Pinehurst Street, sponsored by the South Gate Junior Athletic Association. Admission to the games is free.
• March 21: A karate tournament runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the South Gate Sports Center in South Gate Park, sponsored by the International Karate Federation. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children. Ballet Folklorico performances are from noon to 4 p.m. in the auditorium, sponsored by Club Guadalajara USA. Cost is $5 for adults, free for children under 3.
The final program is from 1 to 4 p.m. March 21 with the queen and grand marshal reigning over talent performances on the Community Stage, sponsored by the South Gate Police Department. Admission is free.
RSS Feeds 
