Fireworks to wrap up centennial (by Mark Abramson /
Daily News Staff Writer
Burlingame's yearlong centennial celebration is being wrapped up next Friday with some flair and fireworks.
The city's 100th birthday shindig concludes with a ritzy evening of dancing, entertainment, food and, of course, the fireworks, which organizers say should be able to be seen from all over town. More than 500 people have shelled out $125 to celebrate that night at the Centennial Gala Dinner Dance and Fireworks. But organizers say the evening is not going to be some stuffy speech-filled yawner. Black tie and costumes are optional.
"This is geared as a party, not a place to hear speeches," said Randy Schwartz, the city's parks and recreation director and the liaison to the centennial committee. Schwartz is staying mum about the best place to watch the fireworks because due to the city's proximity to San Francisco International Airport, the details for the 20-minute show are being worked out with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Although about 100 tickets are still available for the gala, with corporate sponsors, souvenir sales and money from the other events, the centennial committee is on pace to pay back $50,000 from the city that was used to kick start the festivities and foot the bill for the pricier events. "We are right on target for repaying the $50,000. It did not have to be returned, but all the events committees decided they want to return it to the city," Schwartz said.
Gala organizers said their ability to lure longtime comedian and musician Danny Marona out of retirement for the night should be another draw. According to DannyMarona.com, he has been named entertainer of the year 10 times in Nevada, once in San Francisco and comedian of the year nine times in Nevada. Marona has some roots in Burlingame, said Dan Andersen, the centennial's marketing chairman. He lived in the city and performed at the old Hyatt Hotel, which is where the Hyatt Regency Airport stands today. The gala is being held at that hotel.
Schwartz added that Burlingame's birthday may have been 100 years in the making but it was 2 1/2 years in the planning. The first public discussion about what the centennial should look and feel like was Jan. 11, 2006. And all of the planners' dreams have come through, from kicking it off with a parade last June to a vintage 1800s league baseball game, barbecues and a fashion show at Kohl Mansion.
Centennial events committee Chairman Gene Condon called the gala a fitting end to a year of fun and history, noting that some of the events would no doubt become Burlingame traditions. "We did it for every age group in the city," Condon said. "We spent the whole year celebrating for kids, teens and adults."
Events like A Day on the Green earlier this month, which was organized by members of the city's Youth Advisory Committee and featured music and activities for teens and young adults, are expected to become Burlingame mainstays. The Wine & Hot Chocolate Walk held in early May would also continue downtown for people to sip wine or hot chocolate and listen to live music and enjoy other activities, Condon said.
Condon said it would be impossible for him to single out any particular centennial event that stood out. "They have all been good. The parade was a classic. Everybody just had a blast," Condon said. "The thing we focused on was something for every age level and the history of Burlingame."
Tickets are still available for the gala and can be purchased through Tuesday by calling the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department at 650-558-7300.
- Written by Fiona
Recent Comments