Celebration of Old Roses Moves From El Cerrito

ALBANY, CA — The annual Celebration of Old Roses, the oldest and largest event of its kind in the world, returns for its 39th year at a new location.

The free-admission event will be 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 19 at the Veteran's Memorial Building, 1329 Portland Ave. in Albany.

The show is dedicated to heritage roses -- antique varieties predating the 20th century that had fallen out of favor as more modern hybrids gained popularity. It features a 100-foot display of heritage roses, free rose plants for children, on-site rose experts, and a rose-themed products fair with jewelry, clothing, greeting cards, jams, rose plants, perennials and more.

The event, traditionally held on the Sunday after Mother's Day, was started by the late Miriam Wilkins, an El Cerrito native who founded the Heritage Roses Group in the 1970s.

Wilkins, who died in 2009 at age 91, is enshrined on the El Cerrito Wall of Fame.

The celebration had been held at the El Cerrito Community Center until this year.

Call (510) 542-7149 for more info.

— Bay City News

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