The Seal Beach Centennial Celebration will conclude with a series of events that will be held tonight, Saturday and Tuesday.
A Joy Zone Carnival will be held Saturday near the pier.
The celebration will end with a birthday party/open house at Seal Beach City Hall, noon-3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27 (the city’s actual birthday). Tours of City Hall will be held every 10 minutes (check in at the Council Chambers), the time capsule will be opened from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and the birthday cake will be cut from 1:45-2 p.m. City Hall is located at 211 Eighth St.
Joy Zone
Though the heat still blazes, Seal Beach has been on a year-long march to the crescendo of activities for the grand Centennial Celebration Joy Zone Carnival from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Visitors encouraged to attend and participate in the family-friendly panoply of events and activities are concentrated in three key areas and points in time.
First, the Joy Zone located in the 10th Street beach parking lot will be transformed into a carnival of rides, games and fun especially for children and those of a child-like heart. Unlimited rides for just $10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some rides are: the Rampage, Ferris Wheel, Kite Flyer, Kiddie Train, Super Slide and an Elephant Ride. The $10 wristband can be purchased in advance at the Seal Beach City Hall Recreation Department or contact Bea Kuebler at beakuebler@aol.com for more information. Recreating some of your favorite memories of festivals and fairs with a small town California flair, this area is sure to delight you and your little ones.
The Jewel City Café, home of the Main Stage and hub of entertainment is just above the Joy Zone in Eisenhower Park between 10th Street and Main Street including Ocean Ave. A host of local restaurants will have food offerings, bands will be playing and there will be activities like a three-legged race and a sack sprint with points and prizes. Local restaurants: 320 Main, Hennessy’s, Dave’s Cosmic Subs, Crema Café, The Abbey, both the Leo’s/Lions working their grill and finally the Miss Seal Beach court will be whipping up some treats to eat. Don’t miss the Rum Runner’s section for a cold beer or glass of wine to pair with some of that great food.
Starting at 11 a.m. with welcoming messages from local dignitaries, the Main Stage will host a wide range of groups including the Oak Middle School Choirs, Leisure World Hula Group, the McGaugh School Choir and a few special local musicians like Gary Snow who will help ring out the Happy Birthday to Seal Beach sing along. Look for the great band Highway 91 opening the more professional entertainment at 2:30 p.m.
Entertainment
Concerts are back by popular demand. They play with energy Current Country to Classic Rock. Five of Southern California’s best musicians come together to perform for you!
The King Salmon Band will close the carnival starting at 5 p.m. and will play up to the fireworks spectacular, right around 6:45 to 7 p.m., then be back on the Main Stage until 8 p.m.
Finally, the Celebration in the Sky will be an epic fireworks display set off from the pier, just past dusk, around 6:45 to 7 p.m., these magical bursts of colors and designs will highlight the sky as the audience sings “Happy Birthday” to the city.
To protect public safety, the pier will be closed at the first gate. Also be aware that this closure area will likely include sections of the beach closest to the water and pier on both sides, past the line of lifeguard towers.
Parking
Centennial event organizers strongly urge Old Town and Hill residents to walk, stroll, skip or cycle to the event area. There will likely be a bike valet courtesy of Pedal Movement at the 10th Street lot, so bike your way on down to the Joy Zone.
If you are driving an automobile, parking will be available at the Boeing remote site. A shuttle will run continually from Boeing to the corner of 10th and Ocean with the last ride being offered at 7:50 p.m. The Boeing lots 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the shuttle service. More information may be found at sealbeach100.com and in the Official Event Guide produced by Centennial media sponsor, the Sun News. Remember to come back to Seal Beach for the actual birthday and opening of the time capsule at City Hall on Oct. 27.
For more information, contact Marc Loopesko, Celebrations chair, at mloopesko@roadrunner.com or call 562-493-1015.
