By Bruce Piekarsa
Staff Writer
With the ferris wheel’s bright lights twinkling through the darkness, the sound of laughter and the aroma of funnel cakes will fill the air at Temple City’s 80th Camellia Festival. Beginning on Feb. 23 and ending on the 25, the event features decorations and a parade lineup centered around this year’s theme, “Cheers to 80 Years.”
The Camellia Festival’s headline entertainment consists of three groups: Free Wing Classic Rock Band, Pretzel Logic–A Steely Dan Revue and the Smokin’ Cobras. World History Teacher Anthony Russell will be performing as part of the Smokin’ Cobras.
“It’s a great thing to perform for communities, and I’m very excited because I grew up in Temple City,” Russell said. “I was in the parade as a cub scout, and I know a lot of my students and the people I grew up with will be there.”
The Kiwanis Club, also known as Key Club, will run a booth at the festival. They plan to sell cotton candy and tamales. Both members of Key Club and nonmembers are still able to volunteer to work shifts at the booth. However, only members who have paid their dues will receive CSL hours. Along with Key Club, booths run by Scout troops, PTSA, AYSO and TCHS Grad Nite will sell a variety of food ranging from funnel cakes to nachos and tacos.
“This serves as a great opportunity for Temple City Key Club members to gain service hours,” sophomore Key Club Vice President Executive Sienna Chi said. “The best part is rolling up the cotton candy bigger than my head and having sugar fly everywhere!”
Starting at 10 a.m., the Camellia Parade on Feb. 24 will feature five floats, which cruise down Las Tunas Drive. Builders attend two workshops to help them better understand how to utilize and manipulate the plants to achieve a wide variety of colors.
Additionally, the city is organizing a trivia contest at the Camellia Festival Beer Garden on Feb. 25. It starts at 4 p.m., where teams of people compete in different rounds in an attempt to win a mysterious grand prize. The required entry fee is $20 for each party.
