Patterson 100th anniversary

Updated: Thursday, April 03, 2008

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Patterson 100th Anniversary
1909 – 2009

The town of Patterson was founded in September of 1909 when T.W. Patterson told W.W. Cox that he wanted the grain harvested so that he could lay-out a town. Thus Patterson began. The first major anniversary of the town’s founding, the Golden Jubilee, was held in September 1959. In 1984, the town celebrated the Diamond Jubilee combined with the Apricot Fiesta that year.

Planning for the 2009 Patterson Centennial celebration is well underway. Although still tentative, the event scheduled for the summer of 2009 will begin with the Apricot Fiesta having a 100^th Anniversary theme. The celebration will continue with a special 4^th of July weekend planned with events to appeal to families and Patterson area residents.

The Centennial celebration will culminate on Labor Day weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 4, 5, 6, 2009. This will be a special weekend devoted to Patterson history. It is scheduled to start with opening ceremonies, a historical pageant under the direction of the Patterson Repertory Theatre Friday evening. There will also be a My Fair Lady chosen who has contributed to our community over the years as was done in 1984.

Saturday will start with a community breakfast in the park. It will be followed by all-day events. The PTHS museum will be open. Some other events being considered are tours of businesses, homes, churches and other locales.

Both Saturday and Sunday will feature all-year class reunions in the downtown area. Plans are to notify all class members through 1999 of the reunion plans via mail. All class representatives are invited to submit class lists to PTHS at P.O. Box 15. We can also receive these in computer format via email at contact@patterson-ca.com. P.R.I.D.E. or Patterson Recognizing Individuals Determined To Excel is scheduled to lead the reunion effort. The last such event was during the Diamond Jubilee in 1984.

Besides putting on special Museum displays, PTHS and the Centennial Committee will have special photo displays around the downtown area. PTHS will also be publishing a book on Patterson History. A time capsule is planned.

Patterson churches will be encouraged to have special displays of their histories, past ministers and may feature early members and families. Patterson businesses will be encouraged to have their employees dress in clothes of 100 years ago. Businesses may participate with special displays.

Schools will also be encouraged to put on displays about their history and feature tours of their facilities. There are plans to have local restaurants and food vendors offer specials for the many out-of-town visitors.

There are other events being planned such as historical costume contests and maybe even a beard contest. The history of local long-time families will also be featured in downtown displays. On late afternoon Sunday there will be a closing ceremony.

Many other activities are being considered, but the above are highlights so far. While the centennial’s summer events are under the auspices of the Centennial Committee, the Labor Day Weekend is being lead by a sub-committee consisting of Peter La Torre, Ron Swift, Andy Barsamian and Claude Delphia.