El Monte came alive on Saturday, Oct. 4, as families, schools, and community groups gathered for the City of El Monte Emily Ishigaki Children’s Day Parade and Harvest Festival, a cherished annual tradition celebrating local youth, culture, and community spirit. The event filled downtown streets with color, music, and excitement, underscoring the city’s enduring commitment to its children.
Honoring Children and Community
The Emily Ishigaki Children’s Day Parade began nearly three decades ago as a way to bring families together and showcase student achievement, creativity, and cultural pride. It draws inspiration from international Children’s Day celebrations that emphasize the importance of children’s wellbeing and civic participation.
Over the years, the event has grown into one of El Monte’s most anticipated community gatherings, with hundreds of participants representing local schools, youth sports teams, dance groups, and service organizations. Residents line the streets to cheer on students, teachers, and volunteers who bring the parade to life each fall.
Parade and Festival Highlights
Saturday’s parade began at Tyler Avenue and Sally Tanner Way, traveling north on Tyler and concluding near Main Street and Granada Avenue. The procession featured marching bands, folklórico dancers, cheer squads, and decorated floats sponsored by local schools and civic groups. Spectators waved flags, snapped photos, and applauded as students proudly represented their campuses.
Following the parade, the Harvest Festival opened in the south parking lot at Main Street, running from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Families enjoyed a petting zoo, train rides, face painting, arts and crafts, and food booths offering local favorites. The afternoon also included stage performances, raffles, and a bicycle giveaway for children 14 and under, continuing a tradition that brings joy and excitement to families across the city.
Remembering Emily Ishigaki
The parade’s namesake, Emily Ishigaki, was a beloved El Monte community leader and youth advocate who dedicated much of her life to supporting education and family programs. A longtime volunteer and civic partner, Ishigaki worked tirelessly to strengthen connections between schools, families, and city government. Her compassion and leadership inspired the creation of the Children’s Day Parade, ensuring that El Monte’s youngest residents would have a celebration devoted entirely to them.
Naming the parade in her honor recognizes her legacy of service and her belief that every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Her memory continues to inspire both organizers and participants to uphold those same community values each year.
A Tradition That Endures
The Emily Ishigaki Children’s Day Parade and Harvest Festival remains a cornerstone of El Monte’s cultural calendar. It provides students with a stage to display their talents and gives residents a shared space to connect and celebrate. For many families, it has become an annual homecoming—an opportunity to see generations of children grow, learn, and lead.
As the 2025 parade concluded, city staff and volunteers were already looking ahead to next year’s festivities. The day ended, as it began, with music, laughter, and pride—proof that El Monte’s most enduring tradition is its belief in the promise of its children.
