OCT 2012 – City News by Mayor Pro Tem Paul Foster
By Mayor Pro Tem, Paul Foster
The City’s plans for its yearlong quasquicentennial celebration – 125th Anniversary – are continuing with a volunteer citizens’ committee meeting regularly to plan events, observations and activities themed around 125 years of the City’s history.
On Tuesday, Sept. 4, the City Council approved a marketing agreement with local companyPennington Designsto produce commemorative products and memorabilia for the celebration. Pennington Designs was chosen following a Request for Proposal and review by a committee that consisted of City staff, community members, and me, who agreed to recommend the company’s proposal to the council.
In addition to producing merchandise and memorabilia, including clothing, key chains, jewelry, coffee mugs, plaques, sculptures and other items in a variety of price points, company owner Richard Pennington has proposed an ambitious marketing strategy that will allow non-profits, clubs, companies and retailers in Redlands to co-brand the approved City 125th Anniversary logo with their own color palette and unique design elements, providing sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and sharing a portion of all proceeds to be used for 125th Anniversary related expenses.
We are very excited about Pennington Designs’ logo design, the commemorative items and the marketing plan conceived by Richard. I knowRedlandsresidents, service clubs and local businesses will be excited to participate in the variety of events and eager to collect the commemorative items that will be available throughout the year. In addition, the sponsorship opportunities will allow everyone – from individual residents to large organizations – to participate with the City ofRedlandsand the committee in creating a memorable commemoration.
“It’s an honor to be part of the history of the City of Redlands. I love this City,” said Richard Pennington, who credits his employees and their enthusiasm to be a part of the design process for the historic celebration. “It was a big team effort, coming up with ideas of what we could do to help with this commemoration. As a small company, growing in Redlands, it was a big deal for us to be a part in helping to commemorate this event.”
Sponsorship opportunities for the 125th Anniversary celebration are available at levels ranging from $25 to $10,000. The City received early donations of $10,000 from the Kiwanis Club ofRedlands and from theUniversity ofRedlands. Sponsors will receive gifts and recognition, ranging from limited edition commemorative items at the lower sponsorship levels to recognition on City banners, publications, advertisements and at committee-sponsored anniversary events throughout the year for high-level donors.
The celebration marks the 125th Anniversary of the City’s incorporation in November 1888. The yearlong celebration will kick off on Dec. 1 with the Redlands Christmas Parade, sponsored by the City and the Kiwanis Club of Redlands. Participants in this year’s parade have been encouraged to adopt a theme for all floats, vehicles, bands, performances and costumes, drawing from the City’s 125 years. Additional events are being planned throughout the year.
No General Fund money has been allocated for the celebration. All funds will come from sponsorships, donations, fundraising efforts and revenue from the sale of commemorative merchandise.
Any group or individual interested in participating as a sponsor of the 125th Anniversary celebration may contact Tommi Ng at (909) 798-7514, ext. 4 or email tng@cityofredlands.org.