Many, many thanks to the group of hard working volunteers (http://www.richmondcelebration.com/committee.htm) who planned and implemented a weekend of Richmond Centennial events (http://www.richmondcelebration.com) that concluded last night with a highly successful dinner and history presentation playing to an enthusiastic full house at Richmond’s Memorial Convention Center.

The weekend started of with great weather and a festival at Marina Bay on Saturday capped by fireworks which, in the only disappointment of the whole affair, were rendered largely invisible by a thick fog bank. Spectators used their imagination, however, ooing and aahing in response to the muffled explosions. Earlier, I especially enjoyed a tour of the Sea Scout ship Northland, docked for the day at Salutes but then headed for Santa Cruz and then the Delta. I don’t know why any Richmond youngster would pass up an opportunity to join the Northland crew. For more information, go to http://hometown.aol.com/sssnorthland/, or call Jon Sargent, President, at 510 233-6481. 

Sunday morning focused on Richmond’s geographical roots in Point Richmond with a parade featuring any vehicle, critter or costume anyone wanted to show off. They tell me that my goats were a big hit in a City that is not exactly otherwise known for its livestock industry.

At the Convention Center, Party! Party! Party! was really well organized. It featured dinner buffet style from a half dozen Richmond restaurants followed by a multi-media educational and highly entertaining Richmond history lesson. Each decade was introduced by a present or former City Council member followed by narrated historical video clips and professional quality historically pertinent dance numbers by two local dance companies. Former Council Member John Zeisenhenne was master of ceremonies and also master of the quick change, sporting a new outfit for each decade.