A commemorative 50th Anniversary poster painted by Del Mar resident Mac McMillan will be available for sale at the birthday picnic July 12.
Del Mar is 50-years-old and the community is throwing a birthday bash to celebrate the golden milestone on July 12 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Powerhouse Park.
The entire family is invited to dress up in 50s fashions, bring blankets and beach chairs, and enjoy the free activities and entertainment offered by the city's nonprofit organizations, including music, dancing, children's crafts and games.
A barbeque dinner will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, potato salad, fruit, beverages and Del Mar lemon cake. Meal tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children, and are on sale until noon on July 5 at delmarfoundation.com.
Only a limited number of meals will be available to purchase at the event, so organizers encourage buying meal tickets online and to arrive at the event early.
The picnic marks 50 years since Del Mar became an independent city on June 15, 1959.
"It gives us occasion for storytelling and reflection," Mayor Crystal Crawford said. "The good, the bad, all that makes us a unique community."
Looking back, photos of the city and its residents taken in 1959 will be displayed inside the Powerhouse. And, participants can put their twist and jitterbug to the test in several dance contests.
Looking forward, Del Martians young and old will be able to write their predictions for what the city will look like in 2059. The predictions will be buried in a time capsule in the Powerhouse and read at the city's 100th birthday party.
A commemorative 50th Anniversary poster featuring the Powerhouse painted by Mac McMillan will be for available for $20 to help cover the costs of the event. McMillan, a longtime Del Mar resident and artist, will sign the first 150 posters.
Past and present city council members are expected to attend along with hundreds of community members. Former residents who grew up in Del Mar are flying in from out of town to celebrate their hometown roots, said Claire McGreal, chair of the Del Mar Foundation hospitality committee, which is organizing the event.
The party will be one to remember, McGreal said, full of "community spirit celebrating people living, working and playing in the beautiful village we all share."
The foundation is seeking volunteers to help for an hour during the picnic. To volunteer, call (858) 635-1363 or indicate your interest on the online ticket survey.
Del Mar's 50th Birthday Party Sunday, July 12 Powerhouse Park 4:30 p.m. - Check in 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Games and contests 5 to 7 p.m. - Dinner 6:30 to 8 p.m. - Entertainment Buy meal tickets by noon on July 5 at delmarfoundation.com
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