Santa Monica Pier centennial year kicks off
Local schoolchildren filled the carousel at the Santa Monica Pier's historic hippodrome Wednesday as officials launched what will be several months of centennial events. James Harris, the pier historian, regaled guests with stories about the opening of the structure in September 1909 and its colorful history. Many of the tales are also recounted in his new book, "Santa Monica Pier: A Century on the Last Great Pleasure Pier."
Ben Franz-Knight, executive director of the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corp., which has overseen the structure's revitalization after a 1983 storm destroyed the western end, talked about upcoming free public events, including:
--Sideshow at the Pier on April 18, which will feature jugglers, fire eaters, tap dancers and other performers.
--School's Out! A Celebration for Kids, June 20, a daylong festival with art and fitness activities, storytelling, dance performances, fashion shows and Pacific Park rides.
--La Monica Ballroom, Redux, July 23, a dance party re-creating the spirit of the erstwhile ballroom that, during the swing-band era, welcomed Earl Hines and Jimmy Dorsey.
Capping the festivities will be Centennial Day on Sept. 9, with a grand reopening ceremony, a 100-foot birthday cake, brass bands and giant puppets. That night, the pier will celebrate with a concert and its first large-scale fireworks exhibition in 18 years.
"The survival of this historic landmark for a century is wonderful, when you consider the many challenges it has faced," Franz-Knight said. "As it stands, it is the only pleasure pier remaining on the West Coast."
The pier's website features historic photos.
-- Martha Groves
Photo: LA Times file
More photos from the centennial events can be seen here:
http://tinyurl.com/bksw98
and here:
http://tinyurl.com/dcbzf7
Posted by: Fabian Lewkowicz | February 19, 2009 at 08:51 PM