‘America’s Finest City Week’ : Fine Time Is Planned for S.D.’s Civic Pride Festival

Civic leaders devised “America’s Finest City Week” in 1972 as a salve to San Diego’s bruised ego over the 11th-hour loss of a national political convention. But promoters of this year’s celebration, which officially opens Saturday, are hoping their display of civic pride will lure an international event to the city.

The San Diego America’s Cup Task Force, whose goal it is to bring the 1991 America’s Cup regatta to San Diego, is one of this year’s major sponsors of the celebration, said Dick Thurlow, a member of the America’s Finest City Week planning committee.

America’s Cup victor Dennis Conner will act as honorary chairman of the nine-day festival.

The annual festival began in 1972, when Republican Party officials decided at the last moment to move the party’s national convention from San Diego to Miami. To help San Diego recover from the blow, then-Mayor Pete Wilson proposed a week of activities for San Diegans to show the pride they felt for their city.

About 75 Events Planned

“San Diego was sort of self-named ‘America’s Finest City,’ ” Thurlow said. “Wilson wanted those who live in the city to show that they feel they live in the best city around.”

More than 75 events will take place during this year’s celebration, Thurlow said. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on Plaza Level Three at Horton Plaza.

“Dennis Conner will be there to officially kick off America’s Finest City Week, and a large crowd is expected to help celebrate,” Thurlow said.

A new event this year will be a yacht race that begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, sponsored by the America’s Cup task force and officiated by the San Diego Yacht Club, club spokeswoman Caroline Maher said.

Yacht Race

More than 20 boats will race from Seaport Village to Tom Ham’s Lighthouse on Harbor Island and back again, said Maher, who added that people can view the race from Seaport Village.

Other events include:

- A multicultural folk fair featuring live entertainment, food and crafts on Saturday at the Balboa Park Conference Building from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

- The popular Home States Picnic--where transplanted and native San Diegans show their pride for their home state with booths, food and entertainment--on Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Balboa Park.

- Fiesta After Five, where fun, food, drinks and entertainment will combine in the streets of Old Town, on Monday.

- The Linda Vista Multicultural Fair, featuring a parade, crafts and food booths, Aug. 22 from noon-4 p.m. at Linda Vista Road and Ulric Street.

- K-LITE radio station’s Kids’ Day at the Bay, filled with food, contests and prizes for children and their families, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Bonita Cove on Mission Bay.

- The America’s Finest City Week half-marathon, where more than 6,000 runners are expected, Aug. 23 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Cabrillo Monument and finishing in Balboa Park near the museums.