Festivities on tap for Santa Monica Pier's 100th birthday
The Santa Monica Pier turns 100 today.
The festivities began this morning with a multi-faith blessing of the pier, led by Westside religious leaders. This evening, there will be a rededication ceremony, including a ribbon-cutting and group photograph underneath the pier sign; musical performances; and the first major fireworks show in Santa Monica Bay in more than 18 years.
City officials are encouraging the public to walk, ride their bikes or take the Big Blue Bus to the celebration. To reduce traffic congestion, parking at all beach lots will increase to $20 after 2 p.m. today. And it will cost $15 to park in city-owned parking lots in downtown Santa Monica after 6 p.m.
The southbound lanes on Ocean Avenue to Colorado Avenue and the left-turn lanes on westbound Colorado will be closed to traffic between about 5 and 7 p.m.
Read about the pier’s legacy in today’s Times.
-- Alexandra Zavis
Photo: Wrapped in a blanket, a couple takes in the sunset at the Santa Monica Pier recently.
Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Happy Birthday Santa Monica Pier!!! Lots of memories growing up in the Venice area and playing the arcade games, riding the carousel, and getting freshly made potato chips (sadly the chips vendor is no longer there)! Had a recent visit in August with my sister--we had a great time at Bubba Gumps, then rode the roller coaster and the ferris wheel. The Pier truely is a special place--very glad to see it's so vibrant and alive again.
Posted by: ddm97 | September 09, 2009 at 02:17 PM