Two Unique California Small Towns Celebrate Landmark Anniversaries
Point Arena is 100! Gualala is 150!

SOUTH COAST, MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA -- (June 9, 2008) -- This 4th of July weekend, two cities along the blissfully unpopulated South Coast of majestic Mendocino County will host celebrations in honor of their landmark anniversaries. Point Arena, CA will commemorate its Centennial birthday, while neighboring Gualala celebrates its Sesquicentennial birthday!

This area of deserted beaches and windswept cliffs has long been home to seafaring communities, even before Point Arena officially became a city on July 6th, 1908. Their fates linked with the ships that sailed past -- many of them bearing the Redwood logs that helped build the city of San Francisco both before and after the Great Quake -- the people of the South Coast have always had their own unique way of doing things.

Here’s a sample of some of the exuberant activities that are planned, many of which have been enacted for over 100 years!

POINT ARENA
Friday, July 4th, 2008
Band of Horribles Parade – Port Road to the Park – 7:30pm
A tradition that dates back over 100 years and has recently been revived. Men would dress in their wives clothes, satirical speeches would be made, and general revelry would ensue. Not much has changed today! Some parental discretion advised. Live music follows at the Odd Fellow’s Building.

Saturday, July 5th, 2008
Point Arena Street Fair - Arena Cove – 2pm
A vast variety of food vendors, kids' activities and six hours of live music, including Point Arena's homegrown, High Life band returning from San Francisco in honor of the centennial. With a theme of “Still Crazy After All These Years”, how can you go wrong? Parking is limited and is not permitted after 5PM, so come early!

Point Arena Fireworks - Arena Cove – Dusk
Always the biggest fireworks display in the County, and even greater this year to mark year 100! Show begins at dusk (approximately 9:15 p.m.).


Rebelution – Arena Theatre – 11pm
Live performance by the noted reggae band, who recently won itunes Editor’s Choice for Best Reggae Album of 2007. Tickets are $20 each. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/

Sunday, July 6th, 2008
Point Arena Centennial Day Parade – Main Street and School Street - Noon
The main event that commemorates the Centennial! The Parade is followed by the 25th Annual Acorn Family Picnic at Bower Park in Gualala, as well as the Knights of Columbus Barbeque at St. Aloysius Parish Hall.

For further information about the celebrations, go to http://www.cityofpointarena.com.

GUALALA
Friday, July 4th, 2008
Bones Roadhouse 2nd Annual Pirates Faire – Gualala Community Center – Noon
Live music and pirating activities abound. Good natured piracy and mayhem encouraged. Food Booths, Live Music and Entertainment, Pirate Flags & Hats and other Booty for Sale, and lots more fun for the entire family. ARRRHH! (707) 884-1188.

Saturday, July 5th, 2008
Cypress Village Merchants Open House – Cypress Village – Noon
Highlights include a live performance by the Jack Bluegrass Band, the 2nd Annual Golden Retriever Love Parade, juggling demonstrations, face Painting, and homemade caramel popcorn. (707) 884-1333.

For further information go to www.gualalafestivals.org.

For more information about these and other events taking place this summer in Mendocino County, or to make a reservation at any one of our romantic bed and breakfasts, quaint country inns, luxurious 4-star resorts, relaxing retreat centers, or charming hotels, motels, and cottages, call (866) 782-9636 (866 STAY-MENDO) or visit: http://www.gomendo.com.

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