By Clyde Noel
Town Crier Correspondent
Organizers expect next week’s social to be the largest event during the centennial celebration year.
As part of its 100th anniversary celebration, the city of Mountain View will hold an old-fashioned ice cream social noon to 5 p.m., June 30, in Cuesta Park.
Centennial Events Director Kathryn Zehavi said this will be the biggest event during the centennial celebration year, with 8,000 to 10,000 people expected to attend.
“We’re going to need two things to help celebrate the event - volunteers and lots of ice cream,” Zehavi said.
When the Centennial Committee started contemplating events two years ago, they considered a building commemorating the centennial as well as numerous special events during the year. The 19-member committee tailored the centennial events for the residents and friends of Mountain View.
More than 3,000 people gathered last New Year’s Eve at the Civic Center Plaza to kick off the yearlong centennial celebration and hear a letter from President George W. Bush offering congratulations.
In March more than 4,000 people attended the Kids, Kites and Cookies Festival, at Shoreline Park. Volunteers - seen constantly patching up kites - made the difference.
Zehavi said the ice cream social will include two stages for entertainment to reflect the city’s cultural diversity, with singers, dancers and musicians.
There will also be activities for children, such as old-fashioned games, strolling musical groups and pony rides.
“We’re a proud city with a long and interesting history,” said Ellis Berns, Mountain View’s economic development manager. “In our 100 years, most of our growth has come within the last three to five years.”
Berns noted the city has added 1,000 residential units and more than 260,000 square feet of downtown retail space. “The city has a commitment to build strong neighborhoods through citizen involvement as well as a commitment to modernization and innovation,” Berns said.
Ralph Faravelli, president of the Mountain View Historical Society, said “Milestones: A History of Mountain View, California,” by Mary Jo Ignoffo, is available at local bookstores and city hall.
“It’s a great history of the city. Old-timers will be reminded of the city’s past with words and pictures,” Faravelli said. “It’s a great addition just as the city celebrates its 100 years of incorporation.”
The actual date of incorporation was Nov. 7, 1902, and it will be celebrated with the dedication of Centennial Plaza 100 years later.
The plaza, presently under construction, is located at the corner of Castro and Evelyn streets. On dedication day there will be musical performances by local school groups and musicians.
Zehavi said the committee is making an effort to recognize and remember early Mountain View settlers by seeking out their families. Descendants of the early settlers will help cut the centennial cake.
Sponsors for the ice cream social are the El Camino YMCA and El Camino Hospital. The El Camino YMCA will host an open house 2-7 p.m., the day of the event. El Camino Hospital will host tours of the hospital facility on that the day.
To volunteer at the ice cream social, call Kathryn Zehavi at 526-7003.
