The Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) presented its plans for Coronado’s 125-birthday celebration — “Coronado Celebrates 125” or CC125 — to the City Council last week. CAC Chair Heidi Wilson asked that the Council approve the schedule of events and activities, as well as set aside $25,000 to underwrite the event if the CAC’s fundraising efforts fall short.
The City Council refused. Instead, they voted to provide the CAC with $50,000 now. Councilman Mike Woiwode suggested the idea, saying “I don’t see a reason not to say we’re committed to $25,000. It will make their position stronger.” Councilman Bill Sandke echoed Woiwode, saying “We need to show that we, as a city, are committed to this. I’d like to see $50,000.” Councilwoman Carrie Anne Downey suggested donating as much as $100,000, but in the end the council voted 5-to-0 to give the CAC $50,000.
The CAC took the unusual step of not asking for specific donated amount at this time for one very practical reason – the commission is not yet sure how much money the CC125 celebration will require, nor how much will be raised from the public and other governmental bodies.
“We don’t have numbers today,” Kelly Purvis the CAC’s contract arts administrator admitted.
At this point the schedule is fluid and some activities might have to be cut or scaled back if adequate additional funds are not raised, but the CAC does have plans in place to raise funds for the events. “It’s a chicken and egg problem,” Wilson said of the difficulty anticipating fundraising and planning the scale of the one-time-only event.
Based on the current plans, the CC125 event, with the theme 125 Unforgettable Years — 1 Unforgettable Place, promises to be an truly unforgettable commemoration of Coronado and its history. Events are expected to cover a broad range of interests, take place in various neighborhoods throughout Coronado, and offer something for everyone: permanent as well as seasonal residents and tourists, children, adults, military and civilians alike.
The festivities kick off in May with a book signing featuring author Steve Martini. The popular crime novelist writes the Paul Madriani series about a fictional Coronado/San Diego-based defense attorney.
By July 4th, the celebration will be in full swing. There will be Movies on the Bay, Jazz on the Green, art exhibitions (including one that will feature utility boxes wrapped with works of art), a history-focused video series to be called Coronado Moments, the Coronado Decades Historic timeline, and more. Lamb’s Player Theatre has also commissioned a new Wizard of Oz Musical.
Three major events are on tap: a concert by the San Diego Symphony at Tidelands Park, a Polo match on the beach and the Mayors Dinner at the Hotel del are at the top of the list.
In addition to the CAC events, other community groups will theme their annual activities to the city’s birthday. For example, The April Flower Show’s theme is “The Crown City – Cultivating Our Past.” The Coronado Historical Association’s Mother’s Day Home Tour will feature homes representing “125 Years of Coronado Architecture.” The Coronado Promenade Concert celebrates the city’s official birthday in August with a double-header concert featuring the Marine Core Band and Heroes – playing songs from big band standards to funk and disco. Even the Lawn Bowling Association is joining the fun by celebrating its 80-year history here with a county–wide competition in September.
To pull off a big bash like this takes time, organization and money. For example, it costs $500 just to wrap one utility box, Wilson told the council. And some of the proposed events are expected to be a once-in-a-generation experience. “It’s been 30 years since the San Diego Symphony performed in Coronado,” Purvis said. But these headlining events come with a steep price tag. The price tag for the Tidelands Park concert is projected to be $125,000. The City of Coronado has asked the Port District to pay for the event. Coronado is a port city, but in the past it has only asked for money to pay for the annual Snow Mountain event held at the Ferry Landing in early December. The $25,000 the city receives for that event is only approximately 4% of the money that the Port District distributes to port cities each year. In addition to the funding for the Tideland’s Park Symphony concert event, the city is also asking the Port for an additional $31,000 to once again fund the Snow Mountain event, as well as the CC125 Movies on the Bay events. Additionally, San Diego County is being asked to contribute to the Movies on the Bay events.
Wilson and Purvis hope the public will contribute as well. They are planning a community fundraising effort that will launch in the near future. “We would love to talk to potential donors and find their passion and match them to an event/activity,” Purvis said. “People can also donate to the CC125 general fund and contribute to all the events being planned.”
“People love living here and they are always looking for ways to give back. They give to the hospital or the schools, ” Wilson said. “This is one way for the community to give back to the whole community.”
A full list of projected events and activities can be found at CoronadoARTS.com.
If you wish to donate to CC125, send a check made out to the City of Coronado with CC125 on the memo line to:
City of Coronado
Attention Kelly Purvis, Contract Arts Administrator
1825 Strand Way
Coronado, CA 92118
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Gloria Tierney
Staff Writer
eCoronado.com
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