Walnut Creek Centennial Birthday Festival, October 18, 2014!

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Sept. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- Save the date and enjoy the party of the century! Walnut Creek officially turns 100 in October, 2014, and the public is invited to celebrate at the Centennial Birthday Festival on Saturday, October 18, at the historic Shadelands Ranch Museum in Walnut Creek. Party goers will find live music, food trucks, local artisans, museum tours, activities and crafts for kids of all ages—and, of course, birthday cake!

This fun, free family-friendly celebration, sponsored by Broadway Plaza, runs from 11am to 4pm, Shadelands Ranch, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek.

Party plans include a full day of live music and dancing to Locust & Main, featuring an all-new take on popular music from the 1960s to today, and strolling music by the Devil Mountain Chorus. More than 50 booths will dot the ranch grounds, including artisans and vendors, community service groups, children's activities, the Centennial Store, and the History Alley tribute to Walnut Creek.

Food trucks are trending—look for a variety of delicious offerings to please everyone's palates: kabobs, frozen yogurts, ethnic delights, pizzas, greens, coffees, smoothies, and much more. Shadowbrook Winery, the official Centennial winery, will be sampling and taking orders for its exquisite Centennial Blend.

Community service groups will offer live, interactive experiences that showcase their missions, including Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Walnut Creek CERT, Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), Ruth Bancroft Gardens, Lesher Center for the Arts, Save Mount Diablo, and the Walnut Creek Library Foundation, to name a few.

Children's activities include The Karaoke Girl, Big Al Caricatures, Bricks4Kidz, Face Painting by Hollis, and The Pumpkin Patch at the Shadelands.

Shining a spotlight on Walnut Creek's rich art community and the programs and offerings exclusive to the city, the Artists Market will feature educators; artists from the Civic Arts Education Program, Clay Arts Guild, and Fiber Arts Program; and local independent artists and vendors. Demonstrations in a variety of studio art genre and art sales will be going on throughout the day.

The Shadelands Ranch Museum, the former home of Hiram Penniman (1824-1907), will be open to the public—always a treat. Penniman's house, built in 1903, is one of the best remaining examples of a redwood-framed Colonial Revival architecture in Contra Costa County and the only major Colonial Revival house in the Walnut Creek area. Today, the house is home to the Walnut Creek Historical Society and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. The house showcases numerous historical artifacts, many of which belonged to the Pennimans, and houses a rich archive of Contra Costa and Walnut Creek history in the Historical Society's collections of old newspapers, photographs, and government records.

The public is encouraged to come, join the party with family and friends, and help Walnut Creek celebrate its Centennial—it only happens once in 100 years!

Check out www.WalnutCreek100.com for updates and additional details.

Shadelands Ranch Museum
The Shadelands Ranch house is the former home of Hiram Penniman (1824-1907), one of the earliest pioneers in Ygnacio Valley. Penniman arrived from his home state of New York in 1852 and planted orchards of fruits and nuts, which represented the first large-scale commercial orchard operation in Ygnacio Valley. His house, designed by the firm of Eckers & Sells and built in 1903, is one of the best remaining examples of a redwood-framed Colonial Revival architecture in Contra Costa County and the only major Colonial Revival house in the Walnut Creek area. Today, the house is known as the Shadelands Ranch Museum and is home to the Walnut Creek Historical Society and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. The house showcases numerous historical artifacts, many of which belonged to the Pennimans, and houses a rich archive of Contra Costa and Walnut Creek history in the Historical Society's collections of old newspapers, photographs, and government records. The ranch and home are lovingly maintained by the Walnut Creek Historical Society and the City of Walnut Creek. Citrus, pomegranate, walnut, and quince still grow among the sycamores and redwoods shading the aptly named property. www.walnutcreekhistory.info.

Broadway Plaza
A magnet for shops and shoppers, Broadway Plaza's picturesque city streets are filled with fountains, topiaries, and flowers. Turn a corner and find a world-class Nordstrom, Macy's, and Neiman Marcus. Wind through the brick-paved lanes and discover Sephora or Crate & Barrel. Or, this way, Banana Republic, Kate Spade, and dozens of other boutiques and stores. Charm for charm, store for store, the region's best shopping is Broadway Plaza. The beautiful city of Walnut Creek grew up around Broadway Plaza—and its vibrant streets are filled with cafés and shops, all surrounding Broadway Plaza's mix of department stores and restaurants. Walkable, stylish, this downtown is worth the visit. www.broadwayplaza.com.

More About the Walnut Creek Centennial Celebration
This year Walnut Creek celebrates its 100th birthday, and to celebrate this milestone, the Centennial Steering Committee is partnering with local organizations to give their annual or special events a “Centennial “twist” for 2014. Residents are encouraged to keep up to date on Centennial happenings and how to become involved by visiting the special Centennial website, WalnutCreek100.com, home to 100 (and more) Ways to Celebrate Walnut Creek, a historical timeline, short videos, Walnut Creek trivia quizzes, and much more. The Centennial Birthday Festival will be held Saturday, October 18, 11am–4pm, at Shadelands Ranch Museum. A special Centennial Grove at Heather Farm Park will permanently commemorate Walnut Creek’s 100th anniversary, serving as a lasting tribute to Walnut Creek’s past for future generations. Mechanics Bank is the Centennial Sponsor of the Century, and the Walnut Creek Historical Society is the Centennial Fiscal Sponsor. Find more information about the Centennial at WalnutCreek100.com.

Contact
Media: Gayle Vassar, Vassar@walnut-creek.org, 925.943.5895