OCT 2013 – City News by Mayor Pro Tem Foster
The City of Redlands will bring to a close its celebration of the City’s founding with several community-wide events, the first of which will be held Saturday, November 2nd. The 125th Anniversary “Extravaganza” will have various events throughout the day, including a community dinner served at noon and 4 p.m. in Smiley Park. Tickets for the barbecue dinner are $7 and can be purchased at various locations in the City, including the City Clerk’s Office and our own Chamber Office.
The day will start off with the Farmer’s Market held at the City parking lot located at 5th Street and Redlands Boulevard. Historic bus tours led by Tom Atchley, Larry Burgess and Nathan Gonzales will depart at the north parking lot of the Redlands Mall. Bus tour tickets are $25 and the proceeds will go to the Heritage Room of the A.K. Smiley Public Library. Seats are limited so reservations for the bus tours are suggested. For reservations, call (909) 307-6060. Entertainment from community groups and local Redlands schools will be provided throughout the day at Ed Hales Park and the Redlands Bowl.
During the day a variety of exhibits, events and walking tours are planned. A Kids Zone featuring historic games and crafts led by the Boy and Girl Scouts of Redlands will be located in Smiley Park behind the library. The Kids Zone will also have a small performance area with musical performing groups. Also in this area of the park will be various booths featuring the many historical related groups in Redlands.
The park area next to the Redlands Bowl will be devoted to historic re-enactors who will display costumes, handicrafts and trades typical of the late 19th Century when the City was founded.
The Mission Gables house located on Eureka Street will host art works created by the young people of the City which followed the theme of the City’s founding. In the patio area to the rear of the building art works created especially for this event by local Redlands Artists will be on display.
The Red Dirt Art Festival will be held during the day in the park next to the Old City Hall, displaying additional artwork created by local artisans.
The Contemporary Club building on Eureka Street will host several displays from the Redlands Historical Museum and the San Bernardino County Museum collections. Also on display will be photos produced by members of the Redlands Camera Club.
Complimentary historical walking tours of the Smiley Park neighborhood and downtown Redlands will be led by volunteers from the Historical Society and the Heritage Auxiliary of the Contemporary Club. Tours will begin on the hour and half hour from both Smiley Park behind the library and Ed Hales Park at the corner of 5th and East State streets.
The Redlands Bowl itself will be the site of the conclusion of the day’s events. The ceremonies will include a welcome by our Mayor Pete Aguilar, and brief talks by our local historians, Larry Burgess and Tom Atchley. Former Mayor Carol Beswick will also speak. The Redlands Fourth of July Band, led by Curtiss Allen, Sr., will present several musical numbers. A brief sketch from the “Redlands, My Redlands” original musical production will also be performed. The finale of the evening will be a spectacular fireworks display in the sky above the Redlands Bowl.
On Monday, November 11th the City will host its first Veteran’s Day Parade in many decades. The parade committee, led by City Clerk Sam Irwin, has a wonderful event planned to honor our Veterans. The parade will end at Jennie Davis Park where the festivities will continue. This event is free to the public.
On November 15th and 16th, the newly composed production of “Redlands, My Redlands” will be performed at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel. This lively, heartwarming look at Redlands’ history composed by local music artist James Skousen with a cast of Redlands residents including community notables such as Mayor Pete Aguilar, Martha Green, Council Members Jon Harrison and Bob Gardner, City Clerk Sam Irwin and School Board Member Neal Waner will be a highlight of this anniversary year.
Tickets are $5 and available at the City Clerk’s Office, Chamber of Commerce and at the 125th Anniversary booth at Market Night during October. The finale of the anniversary year is the debut showing of our documentary film highlighting how philanthropy has been an integral part of developing our community into the special place it is today.
The documentary has been a work of love for Al and Susan Stevens of Redlands own, “Work and Play Productions.” They have been working with groups and filming all over town. Of course our host and narrator is our exceptional local historian, Dr. Larry Burgess.
The film will be debuted as part of the Esri Forum Series on the early evenings of November 26, (the actual date of our City’s incorporation) and November 27.
A celebration anniversary cake will follow the viewing. Seating for this free event will be limited, so make sure you contact the Esri Forum to make reservations early.
This has been an exciting year to celebrate our community. Be sure to be part of these special concluding events!