Celebrate Redwood City's Sesquicentennial: Full Schedule Of May 20 Festival, lower Extravaganza

REDWOOD CITY, CA – The City of Redwood City announced Friday the full schedule of events and activities of the 150th Festival and Flower Extravaganza, a free community festival on May 20. Redwood City celebrates May 11, 1867 as its incorporation date, and a wide range of year-long activities and events are planned to mark the City's Sesquicentennial year. The City's free signature Sesquicentennial event on May 20 in downtown from noon to 9 p.m. will feature a fun-filled day of exciting, historic activities, music, entertainment, culture, dancing, food, beverages, and a wonderful time for the entire family.

The Festival offers something fun for everyone including historic reenactments, art exhibits, a chicken-wing contest, other food and vendors and music performed by 10 bands. The San Mateo County History Museum will present models wearing fashions worn through the years.

As the oldest city in San Mateo County, Redwood City has a long and illustrious history. Originally a port town during the Gold Rush, Redwood City became the County Seat of the newly formed San Mateo County in 1856. Since its incorporation, the city has grown into a vital and diverse community with thriving neighborhoods, commerce, government, technology and manufacturing.

150th Anniversary Festival Schedule

REDWING CHICKEN WING COMPETITION: A Chicken Wing Competition and tasting will take place on Jefferson Avenue at Broadway from 12-5 p.m. Be sure to sample the most popular flavors and save time to vote in the contest! Learn more about this contest here.

ART AND CULTURE: ART on the Square's summer kick-off starts at the 150th Anniversary Festival and Flower Extravaganza from 12-8 p.m. along Broadway. Wander through booths with fine arts and crafts including painting, photography, jewelry, glass, ceramics, and more. To learn more about ART on the Square go here.

FLOWERS: The Flower Extravaganza, flower sale and art and flower exhibition from 12-8 p.m. provides a nod to Redwood City's past as the Chrysanthemum Capital of the World. This event is sponsored by San Mateo Credit Union and located at the Fox Theatre (2215 Broadway) and on the steps of the San Mateo County History Museum (2200 Broadway).

ENTERTAINMENT: Live entertainment on three stages from 12-8 p.m. will offer music from Mustache Harbor, Sinister Dexter, Top Shelf, the Big Wave Band, the Mile Blues, Stoney Mountain Ramblers, 27 Strings, West Bay Community Band, Ron Gariffo Orchestra, Nirav Sanghani's Pacific Six, and the Woodside High School Band. Stages are located at Courthouse Square, Jefferson Avenue and Main Street at Broadway.

KID FUN: For family fun all day (from 12-9 p.m.) check out the Kids Love Trucks zone, inflatable play land, rock climbing wall and a 1850's pioneer camp located behind Courthouse Square, on Hamilton, and on Middlefield. For crafty kids, an arts and crafts area will be hosted inside the San Mateo County History Museum. Cultural performances by Taiko drummers and Ballet Folklorico will be located on Courthouse Square.

FOOD AND ADULT BEVERAGES: From 12-9 p.m. an adult libations tasting area will be located on Hamilton, with ethnic food and vendor booths located next to Courthouse Square at Broadway and Middlefield.

FASHION SHOW: A free historic fashion show will take place inside the San Mateo County History Museum, Courtroom A from 1-2 p.m.

LIGHT SHOW: A special Magic Lantern 3D Light Show presentation for Redwood City's 150th anniversary will take place every Tuesday night, with a special performance on May 20th on Courthouse Square at 8:30-8:50 p.m. To learn more about the Magic Lantern 3D Light Show go here.

Celebrate 150 years of the Redwood City community all year long!

City's Historic Website: The City's Historic website offers the community a chance to step into Redwood City's past by reading history blogs, viewing old photos and an easy to navigate calendar of events aimed at informing the public about Redwood City's 150th Anniversary events offered all year long. For details, visit www.redwoodcityhistory.org.

Citywide Photo Contest: Earlier this year, the City launched our "Redwood City Through Your Lens" photo contest. Anyone who lives, works or plays in Redwood City is welcome to participate. Engage with your City and community and join the conversation by sharing your captured moments with us using #ThroughMyLens, tagging the City of Redwood City in your photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and following us. For more details go here.

Commemorative Magazine: Just in time for Redwood City's 150th anniversary, a special commemorative magazine is available as of May 6 that tells the story of the city from its earliest days to the present. Redwood City 150 is a glossy, full-color magazine produced by an all-volunteer team of more than 20 writers, editors and photographers, including former journalists, history experts and other contributors. Thanks to advertiser and sponsor support, the publication is provided at no charge to the community.

The community can pick up a copy at the 150th Festival and Floral Extravaganza, at Courthouse Square Saturday, May 20, as well as at other events throughout the year. The magazine can also be found at most of the stores, coffee shops and other locations where Climate magazine is normally available, as well as at city facilities including City Hall, libraries and parks buildings. Climate magazine and its creative and editorial staff contributed time and resources so a commemorative special edition could be made available to the public. As a result, Climate Magazine will not be published in May but will be available again in June.

Redwood City 150 magazine was produced by the Redwood City Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee and includes stories by long-time reporters for Redwood City newspapers, library staff and communications professionals. Historic photos that offer a nostalgic look at the past appear in the magazine along with the contemporary perspectives of four Redwood City-based photographers.

For a complete list of sesquicentennial activities, go to www.redwoodcityhistory.org or www.rwc150.org.

– SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: City of Redwood City