Costa Mesa gets birthday cake, fireworks

Deirdre Newman

Planning Commissioner Dennis DeMaio was grooving to a funky rhythm at

the Pacific Amphitheatre on Thursday night. The irrepressible city

official was one of more than 800 people who helped Costa Mesa

celebrate its 50th anniversary.

“I love it,” DeMaio said. “It’s fantastic. It’s a beautiful city.

It’s a great party.”

The amphitheater opened its doors for the first time in seven

years for the event. The official anniversary was June 29, and a

ceremony was held June 30 in front of City Hall to inaugurate the

city’s new flag.

As people entered the fairgrounds, they were greeted by a cake

measurable in yards with the words “50 CostAmazing Years” emblazoned

in chocolate frosting.

“It’s great,” Ellen Hsu said. “I was just wondering how they made

it so big.”

Fair President Becky Bailey-Findley said she was delighted that

the debut of the newly renovated honored the city’s anniversary.

“I think it’s significant that the first event is a community

event and is honoring 50 years of Costa Mesa,” Bailey-Findley said.

The event showcased the city’s history in a video.

“It’s a fun reflection of Costa Mesa’s history and excitement for

the future,” said Amy Kuchta, anniversary party coordinator.

Former Mayor Mary Hornbuckle presided as master of ceremonies. She

introduced the video history, which featured longtime residents

reminiscing about events such as the flood of 1938 and the 1933

earthquake. One of the people interviewed recalled Newport Boulevard

when it was a “three-lane suicide highway.”

The band Splash provided funk and disco music. The evening

culminated in a scintillating display of fireworks.

Many residents said that they came to the party to show their

pride in their city.

“We live in Costa Mesa and we’re proud of our city,” June McIntyre

said. “I thought we’d support it and brought the kids to watch the

fireworks show.”

Those who planned the event said they were excited to see it

finally come to fruition.

“It was good, hard planning by city people and outside agencies,”

said Carol Proctor, a management analyst in the city manager’s

office.

Mayor Gary Monahan said he had fun reconnecting with the past and

old acquaintances.

“I saw a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time,” Monahan

said. “A lot of Costa Mesa’s history is here tonight.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.