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.