Santa Monica Pier celebration

Cirque du Soleil performer Jimmy Galloway greets pier visitors Lisa and Gabriel Ferguson as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Santa Monica Pier’s opening.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

Bruce Weber of Cirque du Soleil stands beneath the archway on the 1,600-foot-long Santa Monica Pier.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

A member of the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble performs as part of the 100th anniversary celebration for the Santa Monica Pier. Nearly four decades ago the pier was in such disrepair that Santa Monica’s city manager proposed tearing it down and building an island with a resort hotel. Millions have since been spent on restoration and upgrades.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

After the ribbon cutting, throngs fill the road onto the Santa Monica Pier, which opened Sept. 9, 1909. In 1983, storms destroyed the western end. The city then formed the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corp. to oversee redevelopment.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

A vintage car heads toward the Santa Monica Pier for the centennial celebration.  (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

A couple look out from the Santa Monica Pier as sunset approaches. In honor of its centennial, the pier will host a fireworks show Sept. 9, the first over Santa Monica Bay since 1991.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Matt Phuot carries his fiancee, Ida Sweetwater, under the Santa Monica Pier. They are to be married in October and were at the pier to have their engagement photo taken.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Underneath the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Lanny Markasky, a member of the street dance group Mala Vida, makes a jump during a tumbling performance at the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Saturday afternoons nearly always draw crowds during the summer.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Albert Hinogosa, 5, meets Manny Guerrero, a member of the Mala Vida street dance group, on the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

A couple ride the Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Automatic, the Silver Robot entertains on the pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Artist Xiaoyipang makes a portrait of a customer at the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Melissa Ginsburg and her son, Jack, stroll out after a carousel ride.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

A fisherman at the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Arturo Devera and Judy Tran take a break from fishing.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

A piece of wood juts out over the ocean along the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Waves roll through the pilings under the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The tall pilings and numerous vantage points allow for a variety of views around the pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Richard Varela adds his look to the human panorama on the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The Santa Monica Pier offers an array of attractions.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

John Henry Toy dances to the music of a Thursday evening concert at the Santa Monica Pier.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Crowds gather on the pier during summer evenings when concerts and other events are held.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)