For the last several months, Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox has read 100 centennial seconds during council meetings, which highlighted jewels in the city’s past, beginning with its incorporation as a city on Oct. 17, 1911.
It all led up to this weekend, which will celebrate the city’s 100th birthday at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.
In March, Chula Vista kicked off its centennial celebration with more than 300 homegrown performers participating in a concert celebration.
Professional musicians, including singers and dancers from local high schools and Southwestern College, took Chula Vistans back in time with 10 decades of music.
The event capped off nearly a year of celebrations, including Chula Vista Day at Petco Park, historic home tours and the Chula Vista Harbor Days Extravaganza, a two-day festival featuring historic ships, art, classic car shows and visits to the Chula Vista Nature Center.
Cox, who’s been mayor since 2006, said it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be mayor during the centennial.
The Chula Vista Committee of 100 was formed last fall to create a year-long celebration of events organized by and for the community to commemorate Chula Vista’s 100-year history.
Cox and Councilwoman Pamela Bensoussan began forming ideas for the committee in September 2009 and soon after collaborated with the community.
The city’s story was researched and written by retired USD history professor Steven Schoenherr and begins with Chula Vista as the lemon capital of the world, which grew into the seventh fastest growing city in the United States.
The centennial runs from 12 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, will include live music from local multi-platinum recording artist P.O.D. with Chula Vista Middle School singers. In addition, the event will have a military flyover, flash mob dance, fireworks, Olympic-style games, 2012 London Olympics preview and a car show.
