Santa Monica Pier Opens Its Centennial Year Celebration with a Nostalgic Look at Its First Century, Through the Introduction of the Highly Anticipated Historical Retrospective Book, James Harris’s Santa Monica Pier: A Century On The Last Great Pleasure Pier
(1) Santa Monica Pier Historian and Author, James Harris, (right) reveals his historic retrospective book, 'Santa Monica Pier: A Century on the Last Great Pleasure Pier' during the Pier's centennial kick-off celebration on February 18, 2009, at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel. Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser (left) lends his support. (2) Michael Espinoza, and Rachel McDonald dance the Tango during the press conference. (3) US National Hula Hoop Champion Mat Plendl performs during the press conference. (4,5) Karen Gay, from Cirque du Soleil, get her book signed by Author, James Harris. (6) Children from Grant Elementary School ride on the historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel during the press conference on Wednesday.
The official commencement of the legendary Santa Monica Pier’s Centennial program began today at the historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel Hippodrome with both, a nostalgic look at its beginnings back in 1909 with the introduction of the much-anticipated historical book, James Harris’s Santa Monica Pier: A Century On The Last Great Pleasure Pier, and the sneak preview of its celebratory plans for its centennial year, that all lead up to the big day, September 9, 2009, when the Pier will officially observe its first hundred years of survival and triumph.
Today’s kick-off event started by celebrating the Pier’s story, with the special delivery of 100 copies of Harris’s retrospective book, published by Angel City Press. The book, which is a complete historical chronology of the Pier’s rich history, also contains a distinctive collection of vintage images that capture the transformation of this American icon over its first hundred years which has remained a fixture of Southern California’s coastline throughout a century.
Attendees also included nearly 100 school children from the local Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, who were treated to rarely told colorful stories of the historical landmark as related by James Harris, historian and author at the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation -- the entity that first oversaw the re-construction of the Pier and today manages its day-to-day operations.
The school kids in attendance were the first to experience the hundred-year history first hand via the newly developed Santa Monica Pier curriculum in honor of the Pier’s centennial. And, of course, the children were also treated to rides on the famous carousel.
Also announced today, were a variety of exciting free public events that will take place over the next seven months leading up to the Pier’s actual 100th birthday on September 9, 2009. All of the events are designed to showcase the cultural, education and recreational activities that make the Pier a special landmark and beloved attraction by the diverse Southern California residents and visitors alike, who have made, and will continue to make, the Pier part of their lives.
