Celebrate San Diego's 240th birthday in Old Town in the gardens of the world famous Whaley House Museum. Opening remarks from Mayor Jerry Sanders will begin the festivites, which will include birthday cake, music and much camaraderie. The small celebration will be the second public birthday celebration since the 1969 citywide bicentennial marking the founding of the city of San Diego, gearing up for a huge event for the city's 250th year in 2019.
In the past our city's birthday was a major event. Traditionally it began with the "Trek to the Cross," a procession that would start in Old Town and was led by figures portraying Gasper de Portola, Father Serra and other reenactors of historical figures. The procession would end at Presidio Park where there were reconstructed native habitations, Native American, Spanish and Mexican dancers, musicians and reenactors, bell ringing, cannon and musket firing. Historical flags waved proudly, and there were many exhibits showing the contributions various groups and cultures have made to San Diego. There was good food and inspirational speeches by dignitaries highlighting San Diego's prominent place in the history of our country.
Around the country the anniversary date of a city's founding is a cause for celebration. For contemporary San Diego however, it has been a very different story. Until last year there were no celebrations, no processions, and no proclamations by city leaders. It became clear to SOHO that we would have to step up to the plate and that is what the annual birthday celebration is all about. It will be a small but heartfelt celebration, free to all, with music, dancing, cake and refreshments. Our plan each year is to involve more of the community and that by our 250th birthday in 11 years we would expect the whole city to take part.
Just to juxtapose our neighbors to the North in the much younger city of Los Angeles, each year more than 1,000 people take a nearly nine-mile walking journey from San Gabriel Mission to El Pueblo Historical Monument, birthplace of the city, in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the 1781 founding of the City and walk in the "footsteps of the founders." Many more join in a huge celebration at the Plaza.
SOHO's Executive Director Bruce Coons asks, "What might happen if we celebrated the founding of our city and revived our traditions? What if we studied the gifts and used the knowledge that those who came before us gave? What if we were to explore and discover once again our roots, embrace our city's culture, preserve our historic resources, preserve our environment?"
What indeed? SOHO invites everyone to come find out and be a part of the movement to reclaim San Diego's rightful place in history.
This is a free event and you're all invited!