Burbank to celebrate 100th anniversary July 8

On the anniversary of its incorporation in 1911, the City of Burbank will celebrate its 100th year with the Party of the Century in Downtown Burbank, Friday, July 8 from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M.

Featuring awesome food from Downtown Burbank restaurants, an air parade, multiple stages, top local bands and DJs, a mascot parade, children's entertainers, stilt walkers, Centennial memorabilia and community booths, the Party of the Century will be the ultimate night on the town for kids and families alike.

Encompassing six city blocks including San Fernando Boulevard, Palm Avenue, AMC Walkway, Orange Grove and Olive Avenue, it will express the civic pride and community spirit that have characterized Burbank’s first 100 years.

Things will really heat up when the sun goes down. That's when the grand finale with a stunningly choreographed firework show will cap festivities in a profusion of light and sound.

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS

§ It all starts at 5:00 P.M. with a flag salute and live broadcast on the steps of City Hall (275 E Olive Avenue) featuring KNBC Weatherman Fritz Coleman, civic dignitaries, former Mayors and a host of celebrities from Burbank’s rich film and television production history.

§ During the ceremony, a time capsule will be opened and contents revealed. A new capsule filled with mementos from the Centennial will be buried later in the year for the benefit of future generations.

§ After the capsule opening, Mickey Mouse will present one of the largest cupcake displays ever. Big enough to feed 2,000 people, this super-sized confection made from thousands of regular-sized cakes stacked high on a custom-built stand, will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Concocted by a dream-team of master bakers from Porto’s Bakery & Cafe, Martino’s Bakery, United Bakery and Yummy Cupcakes, this tasty tower of flour is guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth.

§ Just after the ceremony at approximately 5:45 P.M. will be the Air Parade, an awe-inspiring pageant in the sky that pays homage to Burbank’s close ties to aviation. Included will be McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets. B-25 Mitchell bombers, Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena Police Notar helicopters, helicopters from Los Angeles County Sheriff “Air 5” Rescue, Los Angeles County Fire, Long Beach Police and the Orange County Sheriff departments, Aero Squadron World War II planes and more.

§ Then, there will be the Mascot Parade led by Bugs Bunny and featuring Burbank High’s Bulldog, the John Burroughs Indian, Hootie the Owl, Domino’s Noid, Geoffrey the Giraffe, the H.T. Bee, Sergeant McGruff the Crime Dog, Burbank Fire Department’s L’il Squirt and many more. Characters will cavort down Olive Avenue to San Fernando Boulevard, where there will be numerous photos ops with the public.

§ There will be multiple stages with continuous performances by rock and rollers Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries, the Alley Cats, a USO Show by Wartime Radio Revue, a DJ spinning Burbank’s favorite tunes, a Fabulous Fifties stage with the retro crooners High Street, celebrity lookalikes, jazz and blues band The Bluez Express, a kids stage featuring Radio Disney talent, and more.

§ Downtown restaurants will be offering special menus in celebration of the Centennial.

§ To finish, a stunning Fireworks Grand Finale choreographed to Burbank-related movie and television soundtracks, such as themes from Laugh In, The Tonight Show, Looney Tunes Cartoons, Happy Days and films by Tim Burton and Ron Howard.

For further information, the public is asked to please call 818.238.5180 or visit
www.downtown-burbank.org