City celebrating 125th anniversary
Police issue traffic advisory: On Tuesday, March 11, beginning at 2 p.m., several streets in the downtown area will be closed to traffic and parking for the ‘Happy Birthday Paso Robles Parade’ in celebration of the City’s 125th Anniversary. Please observe and obey no parking signs. Cars on the parade route will be towed. Motorists are urged to use caution and plan ahead for this closure, which will be in effect until 5:30 p.m.
- 10th Street between Spring & Park – closed
- Park Street between 10th & 11th Streets – closed
- 11th Street between Spring & Pine Streets – closed
- Spring Street between 10th & 12th Streets – closed
- 12th Street between Spring & Pine Streets – closed
- Pine Street between 11th & 12th Streets – closed
Editor’s note: On March 11, 1889, the city of El Paso de Robles was official incorporated after local voters had approved the creation of the city two weeks earlier. Now, 125 years later, it’s cause for celebration!
Parade of school children kicks of festivities
The Paso Robles 125th Anniversary Committee and the Paso Robles schools are teaming up to celebrate the 125th anniversary date of the city’s incorporation with the “Happy Birthday Paso Robles” event in the downtown City Park on Tuesday, March 11 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. The event will begin with a school parade around the park to the front of the Carnegie Library.
Mail delivered by stagecoach
The very last parade entry will be a stagecoach that will be delivering a letter postmarked March 11, 2014 to be deposited, along with a few other commemorative items, into a time capsule that will be set as part of the celebration. The stagecoach, provided by Harris Stage Lines, will trace a route from the San Miguel post office to the City Park and will be carrying both the Paso Robles and San Miguel postmasters, among others.
Flag raising and commemoration
Once the parade has ended, there will be a brief program to commemorate the occasion, including raising the new city flag. Attendees will enjoy brief speeches from civic leaders followed by 1,000 cupcakes provided by the Paso Robles Culinary Academy and a commemorative Ginger Ale, produced especially for the 125th Anniversary by Paso Robles merchant Pithy Little Wine Company & Soda Works. A celebration photo of all participants is planned to commemorate the occasion.
Scavenger hunt
The 125th Anniversary Kids Historical Scavenger Hunt is being unveiled at the birthday party. Locals and visitors alike can pick up the map and follow clues through the downtown and answer historical questions for a chance to win prizes like Ravine Water Park passes, Mid-State Fair passes, movie tickets, and more. Forms will be available in the park during the Happy Birthday celebration, and available after that at the Visitor Center (1225 Park Street), the Paso Robles Historical Society (inside the Carnegie library in the park) and at the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum (2010 Riverside). Prizes will be awarded three times in 2014.
Historical displays
As part of the Historical Society’s celebration of the 125th, there will be a display in the Carnegie Library showing how the town progressed from Spanish land grant to the current day. Volunteers will assume the roles of various important figures in the history of Paso Robles and walk the crowds as part of a Living History Program.
There will also be railroad memorabilia on display for attendees to enjoy and learn about the early history of the area.
Event parking
The public is asked to be in the park by 3:30 to greet the parade entries. Street closures for the parade begin at 2 p.m. In planning your route to the event, please note that Spring Street between 10th and 12th; 11th Street between Spring and Pine; 12th Street between Spring and Pine; and Pine Street between 11th and 12th will be closed until 5 p.m.
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