Poster Contest Showcases Young Talent in New Venue
Published on June 05, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Snyder, Community Services Deputy Director
Phone: (626) 403-7362
Email: msnyder@southpasadenaca.gov
Subject: 4th of July Festival of Balloons Poster Contest Showcases Young Talent in New Venue
South Pasadena, CA – In the spirit of celebration, creativity, and community, the City of South Pasadena, in collaboration with the South Pasadena Arts Council (SPARC), proudly announces the winners of the 2025 4th of July Festival of Balloons Poster Contest.
This year, fifth-grade students from Arroyo Vista, Monterey Hills, Marengo, and Holy Family schools were invited to submit original artwork inspired by the theme: “Unity in Community: One Nation, One Neighborhood.” A total of 102 entries were received, each showcasing the imagination and talent of our local youth.
After a rigorous selection process based on creativity, interpretation of theme, and originality, seven finalists were chosen. From those finalists, the South Pasadena City Council voted to determine the top three winners:
- First Place: Yunyi Che, Monterey Hills Elementary School
- Second Place: Alyssa Kim, Marengo Elementary School
- Third Place: Peter Koehler, Holy Family Catholic School
These young artists will be honored during the 4th of July Festival of Balloons. As part of the festivities, they will ride in the parade and receive complimentary tickets for themselves and their families to attend the City’s fireworks celebration.
New this year, all poster submissions will be proudly displayed at the South Pasadena Arts Council (SPARC) Gallery from July 1–8, offering the community a new and more immersive way to experience the students’ creativity. This replaces the previous tradition of displaying the posters along Mission Street to better preserve and protect the students’ artwork.
Visitors are encouraged to stop by the SPARC Gallery to view the full collection and celebrate the artistic voices of South Pasadena’s youth. Please check @SouthPasadenaArtCouncil on Instagram for hours and updates.
“Our City is incredibly proud our July 4th traditions and celebrations, including our Festival of Balloons Parade down Mission Street, our fireworks display at the South Pasadena High School and our poster contest for which our talented local students create poster entries that reflect our parade’s annual theme.” Said Mayor Braun. “Thank you to all of the young artists who participated in the poster contest. Every entry reflected the incredible talent, creativity and patriotic spirit of our students in South Pasadena. Congratulations to this year’s winners!”
For more information about the 4th of July Festival of Balloons, visit www.southpasadenaca.gov/events.
About the City of South Pasadena
The City of South Pasadena is a charming community, situated only six miles from downtown Los Angeles. Called the City of Trees, the area is known for its stunning homes, unique small businesses, and top-quality schools. South Pasadena’s diverse population of about 25,000 occupies a mere 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides on the west side of the San Gabriel Valley. This small-town atmosphere makes South Pasadena one of California's most desirable locations.
For more information about the City of South Pasadena, visit www.southpasadenaca.gov. Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
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