Monrovia Days (Photo – monroviadays)
Not every community throws itself a birthday party, let alone one that celebrates its talented young people and scholars. Hurray for Monrovia Days!
By Melanie Hooks
The City of Monrovia, the Monrovia Unified School District and Centre Stage Inc. are preparing to host the annual Monrovia Days celebration from May 14 through May 17, 2026, featuring a parade, youth performances, carnival rides, live music and community activities honoring local students.
This year’s celebration will recognize talented youth and the Scholars and Champions from the Monrovia Unified School District. Activities throughout the four-day event will include carnival rides, food and games, youth entertainment, a beer garden, live musical performances and the Famous Merengue’s Bakery Pie Eating Contest.
Festivities will begin Thursday, May 14, with the Monrovia Days Parade from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The parade theme this year is “Celebrating our Country’s 250th Birthday, Route 66 Centennial and the Western Theme.” The parade will start at Myrtle Avenue and Olive Avenue at 7:00 pm and travel north on Myrtle Avenue to Library Park. Priority participation will be given to Monrovia youth-based organizations.
On Friday, May 15, activities will run from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Carnival rides, food and games will be available throughout the evening. Youth performances are scheduled from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, followed by live entertainment from Stone Soul, a Motown band, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Saturday, May 16, will feature a full day of activities from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The Friends of the Library Book Sale will take place from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Youth entertainment is scheduled from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while the Yesteryear Exhibit in the Multi-Purpose Room will run from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The Parade Awards Ceremony is planned from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
The Merengue Bakery Pie Eating Contest will begin at 5:00 pm and conclude at 5:30 pm, offering team prizes of $300, $150 and $50. Evening entertainment will continue with the Blue Breeze Band performing funk and soul music from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The celebration will conclude Sunday, May 17, with events running from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Carnival rides, food and games will continue throughout the day, along with youth performances from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and the Yesteryear Exhibit from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Stone Soul will return to perform from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Carnival wristbands are available for pre-sale purchase through Thursday, May 14 at 11:59 pm. One-day wristbands cost $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at Library Park on the day of use. Two-day wristbands are priced at $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the event, while three-day wristbands cost $35.00 pre-sale and $40.00 at the park. Single ride tickets will be available only at the event for $1.00 each, with rides requiring between one and five tickets.
Ticket booths are scheduled to open Friday, May 15 at 4:00 pm.
Monrovia Days Thursday, May 14: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday, May 15: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm Saturday, May 16: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm Sunday, May 17: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm Parade Location See above for details. Carnival Location Monrovia Library Park 321 S. Myrtle Ave. Monrovia, CA 91016 Find link to purchase tickets here.
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