Pasadena Celebrates 126th Birthday Saturday

June 23 Free Community Celebration Features Synchronized Cake Cutting Ceremony;
Seven Decorated Cakes

-Last year’s elaborate cake which depicted City Hall and other landmarks in the city will be outdone this year with an cakes, to make a total of 19 – Photo by Terry Miller

Seven cakes, all sliced simultaneously in a “Synchronized Cake Cutting” ceremony, will be the delicious highlight of Pasadena’s 126th birthday celebration -‘ Happy Birthday Pasadena: Celebrating Now & Then.’
The gala cake cutting, scheduled for3:00 pm at the free community party on Saturday, June 23 at Pasadena Museum of History (470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena 91103), will be unlike any you’ve seen before. Taking a cue from the upcoming summer Olympic Games, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard will lead the team of Pasadena dignitaries in a choreographed ceremony — conducted by Olympic swimming legend John Naber –prior to serving birthday cake to all in attendance.
“This festive celebration is made possible through the generosity and dedication of so many within our community,” notes Mayor Bogaard. “Once again, Pasadena proves that when it comes to working together — and celebrating together — we’re at the top of the list!”
The decorated cakes, courtesy Vons/Pavilions, will reflect the six themes highlighted at this year’s Happy Birthday Pasadena event: Art, Neighborhoods, Sports, Technology, Transportation, and Water. They will showcase Vons/Pavilions’ “edible photo” technology, with sugary reproductions of vintage images from the Museum’s archives. “You can’t have a birthday without a cake,” says Vons spokesman Carlos Illingworth. “Vons/Pavilions is delighted to play a leading role in the City’s 126th birthday celebration, just as our bakeries do for thousands of Pasadena families every year.”
Following the ceremonial first cut, party guests will be allowed to view and photograph the theme cakes while additional cakes will be served to the crowd from nearby cake stations. In all, the Vons/Pavilions bakeries will prepare 19 cakes – enough treats for 3,000 guests
The Happy Birthday Pasadena festivities, which will take place throughout the grounds of Pasadena Museum of History from 12:00 to 4:00 pm, will also include:
” Nonstop music & entertainment
” Storytelling and crafts activities for children and families
” Pasadena’s Untold Stories: displays and live presentations
” Appearances by Pasadena’s Olympic athletes, award-winning authors, our City’s centenarians, and other local VIPs
” Favorite snack vendors
” Spectacular Raffle opportunities
” Vintage cars and bicycles
Happy Birthday Pasadena is presented by Pasadena Museum of History in partnership with the City of Pasadena and sponsored in part by Pasadena Water and Power; Vons/Pavilions; Pasadena Star-News; Foothill Transit; Lagerlof, Senecal, Gosney & Kruse, LLP; Paloheimo Foundation; Tournament of Roses Foundation and West Pasadena Residents’ Association; and with support from numerous individuals, businesses, and community organizations. Please visit wwww.pasadenahistory.org for a complete list of sponsors.
TICKETS: Admission and Parking (at Avery and on Walnut St.) are Free. For additional information, please visit www.pasadenahistory.org or call 626.577.1660, ext. 10.

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