Pasadena Celebrates 126th Birthday

CITY CELEBRATES PASADENA’S 126^TH BIRTHDAY

PASADENA, Calif.—Several hundred people filled the landscaped grounds of the Pasadena Museum of History Saturday, June 23, to celebrate Pasadena’s 126^th Birthday. Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and Councilmembers Steve Madison, Terry Tornek, Gene Masuda and Chris Holden were also on hand to help cut the seven large birthday cakes. 

Pasadena’s City Council members were joined in the cake cutting by City Manager Michael Beck, Police Chief Phillip Sanchez, Fire Chief Calvin Wells, Pasadena Water & Power Dept. General Manager Phyllis Currie and Carlos Illingworth representing Vons Supermarkets.

Pasadena Star-News Editor Frank Girardot served as the celebration’s emcee while U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist John Naber served as the celebrity music conductor for the wind ensemble who led the crowd in a traditional Happy Birthday Salute. Naber also used his conducting prowess to orchestrate the countdown for the simultaneous “Synchronized Cake Cutting” by City Officials stationed around the seven colorful birthday cakes.

The day’s theme was “Happy Birthday Pasadena: Celebrating Now & Then” and each cake was decorated with edible art by Vons bakery experts that reproduced historic, vintage pictures from the Museum’s archives representing Pasadena neighborhoods, arts, sports, water, technology and transportation history. The main cake was adorned with the City’s seal.

Mayor Bogaard declared Pasadena’s Birthday Celebration a grand event in keeping with City’s long tradition of community pride, civic involvement, volunteerism and corporate responsibility. 

“This festive celebration was made possible through the generosity and dedication of so many within our community and the Museum,” Mayor Bogaard said. “Once again, Pasadena proves that when it comes to working together—and celebrating together—we’re at the top of the list.” 

The celebration at the Pasadena Museum of History, 470 W. Walnut St., also included a classic antique car show, several information and food booths, history displays, and tours of the museum.

The event was produced by the 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; along with the generous support from numerous other individuals, businesses, and community organizations. Go to www.pasadenahistory.org for a list of sponsors. For more information about Pasadena go to www.cityofpasadena.net.

CUTLINE FOR PHOTO: PASADENA MAYOR BILL BOGAARD CUTS THE BIG BIRTHDAY CAKE ON JUNE 23 FOR PASADENA’S 126TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ALONG WITH PHYLLIS CURRIE, RIGHT, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CITY’S WATER AND POWER DEPARTMENT AND CARLOS ILLINGWORTH REPRESENTING VONS, LEFT. THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OCCURRED AT THE PASADENA MUSEUM OF HISTORY. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PASADENA.