VERO BEACH— The City of Vero Beach will celebrate and their 100 years of becoming an incorporated city in Florida. All activities recognizing this historic date will begin a year in advance, in October of 2018 and continue until the Centennial Celebratory Crescendo on Saturday, October 26, 2019. The Centennial Presenting Sponsor is Florida Power and Light.
A dedicated group of local residents have teamed together as one committee, Co-Chaired by City Clerk Tammy Bursick and Councilman Tony Young, to prepare a year of varied activities which will represent the city’s history, landmarks, ancestors, organizations, agriculture, education, transportation and the arts through the decades of technical, beautification and architectural advancements. Vero Beach is seizing the opportunity to share their history, accomplishments and their people.
Everyone is welcome to learn and enjoy every month. Feel free to continue checking the website www.VeroBeach100.org as more and more information becomes available. The sneak peek of the month of October, sponsored by White Glove Moving, is listed below.
On October 1st, look for the Walking Tree Centennial Brew in your favorite Vero Beach bars and restaurants. It will be Pale Ale brewed with hibiscus and Centennial hops that has been developed and distributed by Walking Tree Brewery all along the Treasure Coast.
On Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6, 2018 make your way to the McKee Botanical Garden from 10-5 p.m. Come and enjoy a $1 Admission Community Centennial Appreciation Day at McKee, thanking the community for their support since the original McKee Jungle Gardens opened in 1932. Last admission is sold at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 5 p.m. the Sunbonnet Sue Quilters Guild will present. Representatives of the Sunbonnet Sue Quilters Guild have designed and created a quilt in recognition of the Centennial Year. They will make a presentation at the City Council meeting.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 10 a.m. there will be a banner unveiling, sponsored by Publix Supermarkets. A Centennial Celebration Banner will be hung across 14th Avenue by The Heritage Center through October, 2019. Banner has been created by Image 360 Vero Beach.
Friday, October 26, 2018 will be Tree Dedication Week. It will be sponsored by Sponsored by Digg Gardens and Image 360. Thirty IRC public, charter and private school locations will be provided with a 30-gallon live oak tree with a plaque noting the centennial anniversary, planted and dedicated during the week of Oct 22-26. Locations for each tree planting and day and time of dedication will be made public in advance. The first tree was planted at Storm Grove Middle School on Monday, August 6, 2018. Attending the planting were Assistant Principal Hilary Poole, Committee Co-Chairs Tony Young and Tammy Bursick, Assistant Principal Keondra Eberhardt, Principal Anne Bieber, and Vice-Chair of the City of Vero Beach Tree & Beautification Commission, Marilyn Dussault.
Friday, October 26, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Vero Beach High School will have a half-time tribute. Game Starts at 7:00 p.m. Halftime show is entitled, “A Centennial Celebration – A Tribute to Vero Beach,” comprised of original music and backdrop art and photography depicting100 years of the city and many places and events that it is known for including the airport, citrus, hibiscus, Dodgers, The Driftwood and many more. In addition to the musical tribute to all attending at half-time, Centennial committee members will be asked to enter the field for introduction and applause.
Saturday, October 27, 2018 Waldo’s Flag Ceremony and Time Capsule will be presented at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. In recognition of the City Centennial a horse-drawn carriage will deliver a time capsule filled with photographs and a myriad of artifacts to Waldo’s Restaurant at The Driftwood on Ocean Drive. It will be planted in the ground at the foot of the newly purchased flag and flag pole in front of the oceanside restaurant. The celebration will include a showing of antique cars and a musical performance by the Charter High School Band.
Saturday, October 27, 2018 will be the Centennial Chili Challenge from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. Riverside Park by the River will feature this tasty 30 team challenge to recognize the Centennial. Music will be presented by The Humdingers Band and Slip and the Spinouts. Enjoy Hamburgers, hot dogs and desserts. Judging will take place at 6 p.m. and there will be a featured Centennial Chili included in the assortment. Mrs. Centennial Anna Valencia Tillery will be a judge for the People’s Choice Chili. It has been organized by Sunrise Rotary. If you would like to participate and present your 10 gallons of chili, there is a $50 registration. Contact Debbie Avery at 772-494-6306 or Arthur Hodge at bigavol@bellsouth.net to sign up.
Committee members Bob McCabe, Centennial Chili Challenge Chair Arthur Hodge, Deb Avery, Marty Lewis, Jason Fykes, Lisa Gehin, Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach President Linda Scott, and Pam O’Donnell prepare for the Chili Cenntennial Challenge.
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. will be the Countryside Corn Maze. The Countryside Corn Maze is joining in the celebration of Vero Beach’s Centennial with the return of its seven-acre corn maze. There are lots of family-friendly activities in addition to the corn maze, including jumping pillow, barnyard ball zone, pumpkins, kiddie train rides, photo opportunities, a nature trail, plus hayrides and the popular corn cannon, and more. Food and beverages are also available. Countryside Citrus is located at 6325 81st Street, Vero Beach. Visit www.countrysidecornmaze.com for all the details. Partial proceeds will benefit the renovations to McWilliams Park.
Each school is invited to participate in the Centennial School Art Competition. The subject of the art will be Vero Beach City landmarks. Each school is allowed 3 entries and the selection of the entries will be made by the school. Works will be displayed at a Vero Beach Museum of Art exhibit on January 4, 2019. Competition winners will be announced and a reception will be held. The Vero Beach Art Club will judge the posters.
Please visit the Centennial website www.VeroBeach100.org regularly for times, locations and details on all activities. Event times, dates, locations and descriptions are subject to change.
This article was distributed through Treasure Coast Business, a news service for the readers and advertisers of Indian River Magazine.