TOMORROW: Celebrate 175 Years of Statehood with California State Parks at Birthday Block Party in front of State Capitol
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Newsroom@parks.ca.gov
What you need to know: Tomorrow night,California State Parks is throwing a birthday block party in front of the west steps of the State Capitol to celebrate the state’s 175th anniversary. The public event features music, food trucks and family-friendly activities, capped by a laser show that is not to be missed.
SACRAMENTO — The countdown is almost over for California State Parks’ block party in front of the west steps of the State Capitol to celebrate the 175th anniversary of California statehood.
From 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, enjoy music, food trucks and family-friendly activities as Californians come together to celebrate this historic milestone. Partygoers can enjoy free food truck fare, birthday cake, and California-grown treats (while supplies last).
Be sure to stick around for a laser display prepared by Tim Anderson, owner of California-based Nu-Salt Laser International and inventor of the revolutionary Laser Space Cannons, whose notable projects include the Sacramento Kings’ “Light the Beam” celebration, and Ben Davis, the founder and CEO of Illuminate who led The Bay Lights project on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The show, featuring 31 Laser Space Cannons in honor of California becoming America’s 31st state in 1850, begins 30 minutes after sunset (approximately 8 p.m.) and is not to be missed.
For people unable to attend the celebration, State Parks will livestream the laser show on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
State Parks staff and volunteers will be dressed in period attire and will engage with partygoers as they interpret the history of the Capitol Building, Admission Day and the state’s rich and diverse past. There will also be opportunities to learn more about California history through hands-on activities from the California State Railroad Museum, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP), the State Indian Museum SHP and the Sacramento History Museum.
The block party will showcase the natural and cultural treasures and living history found in California’s 280 state parks, inspiring visitors throughout this 175th year of statehood and beyond. Additional state agencies and departments are expected to participate.
The Celebration is Just Beginning
The same day as the block party, State Parks is also launching a photo contest inspired by the state’s 175th anniversary at photocontest.parks.ca.gov. Over the next month, Californians can celebrate the state’s natural beauty and history by submitting a photo from one of 280 state parks in up to five categories for a chance to win special prizes.
Later this week, on Saturday, Sept. 13, Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park will host a fun-filled celebration commemorating the 130th anniversary of the historic powerhouse that literally turned the lights on at the State Capitol! RSVP here.
It’s all part of dozens of events celebrating 175 years of statehood through next summer, when the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more at Celebrate.ca.gov.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.