The Votes Are In!
2024 Readers' Choice is back, bigger and better than ever!
View Winners → Community Picnic Draws Hundreds to Arcadia City Hall
Arcadia Weekly Sep 17, 2009
by
share with
Stars and Stripes Saturday Salutes Arcadia’s Hometown Heroes
The Stars & Stripes Community Picnic held on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Arcadia’s City Hall drew in hundreds of people from all over the area both to honor our local servicemen and women at home and abroad as well as celebrate the talents of local would-be Arcadia Idols.
The afternoon event featured two sections; one being a salute to Arcadia’s Hometown Heroes, a solemn service soon followed by the inaugural “Arcadia’s Got Talent” competition where Arcadians competed for cash prizes and of course, the title of Arcadia’s Most Talented resident.
Other activities included a Kid’s Fun Zone; old-fashioned games such as sack races, tug-o-war and a water balloon toss; a bounce house; Junior Firefighter Obstacle Course; baseball speed pitch; music and Bernie, the “read aloud” dog. City departments were on hand with games and activities pertaining to their area of responsibility. Spin the wheel in the Development Services corner for a chance to win a prize.
But as with any ambitious production, the day was not without its share of trials and tribulations. The talent show portion of the event was peppered with some technical difficulties due largely to an uncooperative wireless microphone that decided to cut in and out at critical intervals during songs, spit and sputtering until several of the contestants had to start all over again. The glitch wasn’t easily fixed and happened to several contestants which no doubt added further difficulty to their already anxious, albeit wonderfully enthusiastic, performances.
Additionally another slip-up occurred during the flag raising ceremony. The state flag was hoisted all the way to the top before officials noticed that it was, in fact, upside down. One local wag and wise guy quipped “It’s rather appropriate really when you think about it. [With] the mess the state of California is in, hoisting the flag upside down sends a good message to Sacramento!”
The Arcadia Chinese Association was responsible in part for the funding of the afternoon.
