Tickets Available For Novato's Annual Birthday Party

NOVATO, CA – Novato's annual birthday bash is going to be even bigger and better this year.

The celebration is set for Jan. 19 – one day before the 58th anniversary of Novato's incorporation – at Buck Institute for Research on Aging.

This year's birthday party, organized by Paint the Town Red, will be held in honor of the late Dietrich Stroeh, one of Novato's patriarchs, former Citizen of the Year and past Paint the Town Red board president. The event will also serve as a fundraising opportunity for Novato Theater's renovation campaign.

"We decided to put extra effort into making this year's party special as it comes after we lost our good friend in May," said Jeanne MacLeamy, former mayor and councilwoman, in a statement.

Stroeh, a civil engineer by trade, was a longtime member of the Golden Gate Bridge District Board of Directors, previously ran the Marin Municipal Water District, and contributed to countless nonprofit causes. One of his dearest projects was the rebuilding and reopening of the theater on Grant Avenue, where he worked when he was a teenager in the early 1950s.

As a tribute to Stroeh's passion for the Novato Theater, partygoers will have the opportunity to donate directly to the nonprofit. There will also be a special opportunity drawing benefiting the Novato Theater.

"He not only spearheaded the city birthday party every year and made the surprise announcement of the Citizen of the Year, but he was also spearheading the theater renovation," added MacLeamy, who serves on the event committee. "We thought it was a natural fit to have this event include a benefit for this ongoing civic project that meant so much to him."

About 200 people attend the annual event, which celebrates the past, present and future of the city and honors Novato's Citizen of the Year. Large and small businesses, as well as employees from the Novato Fire District and the Novato Police Department will also be recognized during the celebration.

"If you would like to meet some of the people most dedicated to Novato's civic spirit and additionally have fun in a festive atmosphere, then you won't want to miss this celebratory event," MacLeamy said.

The event will feature "A Taste of Novato," with appetizers from Novato restaurants, wines from local vintners and craft beers from three local microbreweries. There will also be music and the opportunity for science exploration at the party's new venue.

"It's a diverse and yummy spread, and we are very proud to feature local purveyors," MacLeamy said. "The food and drink itself is worth more than the ticket price, but the added bonus and drama of the surprise announcements and feeling of community good-will make the evening priceless!"

Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Buck Institute, located at 8001 Redwood Blvd. Tickets cost $40 and increase to $50 on New Year's Day.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit paintthetownred.org.

Image courtesy of Paint the Town Red