The hoopla stretched from morning to evening last weekend for Riverbank residents enjoying the finale of the city’s Centennial Celebration.
Festivities began early Saturday morning at the Riverbank Sports Complex on Morrill Road, and concluded that evening, on the stage at the Plaza del Rio Park, with a dramatic surprise closing out the evening.
It was an early start, Aug. 20 at 6 a.m., with hot air balloons being launched from the stadium at the complex. Five balloonists were on hand, each in turn heating up their multi-colored entries, launching one by one as the sun rose in the east. The fifth balloonist remained behind, allowing youngsters to ride up, and down, in his balloon, still tethered to the ground.
Some balloons drifted southward in the breeze, clearing the light poles and fencing around the complex, but at least one ended up heading east. Residents all over town, if they looked up, could have seen them.
Next up, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., the city provided free breakfast in the Plaza del Rio Park. A taco truck was on hand, but not selling tacos. Instead, they were giving away egg, potato and bacon burritos, having at least 300 on hand in their kitchen.
At 9 a.m., officials began ceremonies to uncover the new Centennial Mural, painted on the wall at the back of the Plaza’s stage.
Vice Mayor Cal Campbell, Mayor Richard D. O’Brien, and Council Members Luis Uribe and Darlene Martinez pulled off the canvas covering the wall, showing the historical artwork, created by artist Alexandra Riddle. She has been the creator of many of the city’s murals around town. This is her third in the heart of downtown.
Representatives of several elected state and federal office holders presented resolutions from their respective bodies to the council, recognizing the milestone in Riverbank’s history.
At 9:30 a.m., a host of youngsters, and some not so young, members of the Riverbank Ballet Folklorico, performed a series of traditional dances from areas of Mexico.
Director Norma Torres-Manriquez told the crowd her youngest dancer was just three years old.
Long time former Riverbank resident Herb Henry brought his Herb Henry Family Gospel Singers to the stage at 10 a.m.
Henry explained to the crowd he was glad to be back in town, having spent his first 25 years growing up here. His family owned the Henry Market, at the corner of Terminal Avenue and Arizona Street. He said his father moved here in the 1930s.
About 11 a.m., the festivities took a break from the warm temperatures, resuming at 5 p.m.
From 5 to 9 p.m., a Carnival set up on Santa Fe Street, between Second and Third streets, entertained youngsters and other family members. From Third to Fourth streets, vendors made food, snacks and cotton candy available for sale.
There was also a free photo booth, providing snapshots taken with available props.
On the stage during this time, as the skies eventually darkened, a blues band performed its music.
When the band finished, just before 9 p.m., a light show was undertaken, with smoke machines clouding up the park stage and six different laser instruments projecting lights through the atmosphere, and onto the stage wall.
The show, with accompanying music, continued from 9 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m., concluding the city’s Centennial Celebration in style.
