125 Years Culminates in Day-Long Extravaganza

To celebrate 125 years, the City of Redlands has been hosting commemorative anniversary events throughout the year, but the largest was the city's culminating Redlands Extravaganza. The day-long weekend event celebrated the city's founding in 1888. Featuring a dinner reminiscent of the Redlands 100th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner, the 125th Anniversary Committee brainstormed to bring a grand event, turning a dinner into an extravaganza. "The dinner is just a small part of what happened today. All of the other events add to the excitement of today," said Extravaganza co-chairman Daryl Carlson. In preparation for the event, the committee gave out 30,000 brochure maps to businesses and schools throughout the city. Word of the Extravaganza spread quickly, shared event organizers. 125th Anniversary Committee member Amy Strong said, "It was a snowball effect." Organizers credited Redlands citizens with contributing to many of the events that took place that day. Youths contributed to the Youth Art Show and the Essay contest, while businesses contributed by offering merchandise at 20 percent discounted prices. Committee member Rose Palmer commented, "It's a celebration of Redlands. It's people who have vision to create something beautiful. People throughout the history of Redlands have been willing to come in and say, we want to do something to make a difference." History that day was brought to life. Historic reenactors with roots in Redlands stemming from the 1850s set up camp in the Redlands Bowl Park. There they displayed the pioneer trek from Utah to the San Bernardino Valley. An historic film festival also aired, showing films taken in the city between 1920 and 1970. The Redlands Historic Museum displayed several items, as well. Other activities included history walks, scavenger walks, dessert vendors, church tours, oral history interviews of longtime residents, a Smiley Brothers beard growing contest, a kids zone, bus tours and a sculpture garden, among others. "You feel like you're a part of something important. We get to be involved. Then in the future we know that this will go on and there will be others to continue the legacy," said Palmer. The event carried into the evening, with two seatings of the community dinner preceding the grand finale. The Redlands 4th of July Band performed original songs and high school students read their essays from the "Redlands, My Redlands" essay collection. The night wrapped up with a fireworks display, topping off the largest celebration in Redlands history. [End] Redlands Extravaganza Date: November 2, 2013 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Redlands downtown, Smiley Park, Lincoln Shrine, Redlands Bowl Description: The citizens of Redlands are planning a variety of events coinciding with the closing event of the year long celebration of the city's founding in 1888. Contact info: (909) 335-9694 klbell909@yahoo.com Note to Cassandra: Attached is a map and schedule of events (they are saved as JPEGs) for this Saturday’s 125th Anniversary Extravaganza. Thousands of people are expected to participate in the various events, culminating with a fireworks finale at the Redlands Bowl. There will be lots of interesting visuals all throughout the day. To see a schedule of events and for more information, visit http://www.redlandscelebration.com/RedlandsCelebration/Home.html James' Original article: The city of Redlands held a day long event celebrating the 125th anniversary of their founding in 1888. The extravaganza took place on Friday, Nov. 11th, in conjunction with the citizens of Redlands. The event originally started as a community dinner, reminiscent of Redlands' 100th anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner. The Anniversary Committee brainstormed a grander event from a dinner into an extravaganza. "The dinner is just a small part of what happened today. All of the other events add to the excitement of today," said co-chairman Daryl Carlson The committee had given 30,000 brochure maps to businesses and schools in the Redlands area. Word of the extravaganza spread to Redlands citizens and the citizens were delighted to participate. Committee member Amy Strong reminisced, "It was a snowball effect" Redlands citizens contributed to many of the events that took place that day. The youth contributed to the Youth Art Show and the Essay contest. Businesses discounted 20 percent off their merchandise. Committee member Rose Palmer commented, "It's a celebration of Redlands. It's people who have vision to create something beautiful... People throughout the history of Redlands have been willing to come in and say we want to do something to make a difference." History came together from past to present. Historic reenactors, who have roots in Redlands beginnings from the 1850's, set up camp in the Redlands Bowl Park. There they displayed the pioneer trek from Utah to the San Bernardino Valley. The extravaganza held historic film festival, with viewings of films that have been taken in the city from 1920 - 1970. The Redlands Historic Museum displayed several items as well. "You feel like you're a part of something important... we get to be involved. Then in the future we know that this will go on and there will be others to continue the legacy," says Palmer. The event carried into the evening, with two seatings of the community dinner. The event was not over - there was to be a grand finale. The Redlands 4th of July Band performed original songs and high school students read their essays from the "Redlands, My Redlands" essay collection. The night wrapped up with a fireworks display, topping off the largest celebration in Redlands history.