Arcadia's Centennial (1903-2003) approaches and the Arcadia Centennial Celebration Commission is planning on a year-long, citywide celebration for the city's 100th birthday. In photo, a baseball cap to commemorate the centennial, is on sale at Arcadia Public Library.
Arcadia's official city birthday party will be held August 5, a date that reflects the official declaration of Arcadia cityhood by the Board of Supervisors, back in 1903. The 100th birthday party includes a scavenger hunt, the release of the anthology "Visions of Arcadia," unveiling the bronze peacock statue at Peacock Corner, a mixer at the Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum, and a birthday party at the Community Center. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 18, July 31, 2003.
"Visions of Arcadia", the anthology of essays celebrating the city's centennial, will be out in time to be presented at the city's 100th birthday party on August 5. The book was edited by Councilman Gary Kovacic. The printing cost over $15,000.
As part of Arcadia's centennial, the city is considering putting up historical markers around town as reminders of past people and events that have shaped Arcadia. There has been $12,000 in centennial funds allocated for the program and a tentative list of some 30 sites presented to Arcadia City Council. Some potential marker locations are given.
Arcadia City Councilman Gary Kovacic will take over as mayor at the next City Council Meeting. He will serve through October 21 and then the position will rotate to John Wuo (October 21-January 4), Mickey Segal (January 4-April 20). Gail Marshall was mayor through April 15 of this year. All council members are rotating to the position of mayor during the city's centennial.
Gary Kovacic is Arcadia's mayor for the third time. His first term was in 1998-1999 and his second term was in 2000-2001. In this, his third term, he is one of four out of the five Arcadia city council members rotating into the mayor's position during the 2003 Arcadia Centennial. The article includes biographical information.
Arcadia officially unveiled the design for its city centennial float last week. Designed by Phoenix Builders, it features the Queen Anne Cottage, the wishing well fountain from Santa Anita, and a giant peacock. It cost $100,000. A list of float riders is included.
Using the theme "100 Years of Good Health, Happiness and Prosperity," an Arcadia Rose Parade float commemorates the city's centennial. Riding on the float will be a doctor, a nurse, a graduate of Arcadia Methodist Hospital's neonatal program, US Army Captain Jon Shafer, a horseracing figure, and two local children. The two children will be chosen by random drawing.
Arcadia celebrates its 100th birthday on August 5, 2003. The date reflects the anniversary of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors certifying the results of the cityhood election. Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin was talking about creating a city as early as 1886. He wanted to name the city Baldwin. On July 27, 1903, thirty-nine residents voted for cityhood.
Dr. Sheng Chang has completed his three month term as mayor of Arcadia. For this centennial year, the position of mayor is a under rotation plan approved by the city council. Gary Kovacic will now be mayor for the next three months. Dr. Sheng Chang was honored as Arcadia's first Chinese-American mayor.
An 8-foot tall bronze tribute to Arcadia's official bird, the peacock, will be unveiled August 5, as part of the city's centennial celebration. The statue will be located in the fountain at Peacock Corner, in the front of Arcadia County Park, at the southwest corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue. The sculptor of the peacock is Dave Chapple and the sculpture cost $30,000.
The Jack Lantz Big Band will perform big band swing music on April 27, 2003, at the Arcadia Community Center as part of the Arcadia centennial celebration.
Gloria Horstman, former library board trustee, former columnist for the Pasadena Star News, and reviewer for the Vroman's bookstore newsletter, returns to Arcadia to present a book review program in honor of the city's centennial.