Newark Days
Encyclopedia
Overview
Newark Days is an annual celebration that takes place in Newark, CaliforniaNewark, California
Newark is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It was incorporated as a city in September 1955. Newark is an enclave, completely surrounded by the city of Fremont. Its population was 42,573 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
every September. It starts on a Friday, or Thursday, and ends on the following Sunday. A carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
takes place over the weekend, and there is a running event that takes place on the weekend called the "Newark Mile" on Newark Boulevard. In Newark's local newspaper, the Argus, there is a coloring contest for kids. The kids who win get prizes like a free day at the carnival and riding on a float in the parade that takes place on a Saturday, called the Saturday Parade.
History
The City of Newark has been celebrating its birthday, September 22, 1955 – annually since incorporation.A parade was at the heart of it – and old-timers remember when the City's first Mayor, George Silliman's car broke down and he walked the parade route down Thornton Avenue.
Members of the Newark Chamber of Commerce – who later turned the festivities over to the Junior Chamber of Commerce, planned the early years of what is now called Newark Days.
In the 1960s – a group called "Newark Birthday Celebration" was formed…
The weekend events were held on the Newark Pavilion grounds, in the Newark High School auditorium and of course, the Thornton Avenue parade. The "Newark Birthday Celebration" dissolved at the end of the 60's and for several years – the only celebration commemorating the City's birthday was put on in Newark Community Park by the Newark Recreation Department – a one-day event with games and a birthday cake.
In 1972 Shirley Sisk ran for City Council and in walking door-to-door during the campaign, the predominant question was – "when is the Newark birthday celebration coming back?" Shirley and her husband Frank had volunteered and worked with the old "Newark Birthday Celebration," so in the Summer of 1972 a meeting was called to see if there were enough volunteers to plan an event for that September. Interest was high and "Newark Days Celebration" was formed.
The Newark Rotary offered to bring in a carnival and the committee put together food booths and games at the Pavilion. The weekend was a huge success. The next step was to form a nonprofit corporation.
The original signers were: William & Bonnie Chivers, Robert Jaeger (Executive Director of the Newark Chamber of Commerce), Barbara Lane, Marilyn Rogers, Frank & Shirley Sisk and John Fulgaro. From that small step Newark Days has grown from a weekend event to 4 days centered in the Newark Community Park & Community Center as well as the adjacent MacGregor School Grounds.
The parade now goes down Newark Blvd, and ends on Cedar Blvd, a much longer walk if a car breaks down...
For many years the committee put on a Newark Days Ball – held the weekend prior. Today a core volunteer committee of 30 work year-round planning a multitude of activities: the big Saturday parade, the kid's parade, the Newark Mile race, multi-stages of entertainment, arts & crafts booths, food and game booths, carnival, special theme areas, contests, children's activities, senior's dance and bingo. These events and more are enjoyed by over 100,000 people every year and during the 4 days – over 200 volunteers come together to make this a truly wonderful celebration of the City's birthday.
In 2005, Newark Days celebrated Newark's 50th anniversary, with a 1950's theme and the return of Arknew, a kangaroo that was Newark's old town mascot.
Newark Days Parade
On the Saturday of Newark Days, a morning parade is held which starts at Thornton Ave and runs Newark Blvd, concluding at the Newark Community Center on Cedar Blvd.
Carnival
The Carnival grounds are at the MacGregor field. The carnival includes a variety of rides and other attractions. It generally runs from Thursday to Saturday.
Newark Mile
The Newark Mile is a race held on a Saturday morning of the Newark Days Celebration, generally before the parade.
Themes
Every year, the Newark Days Celebration features a different theme. The 56th Newark Days will run September 15–18, 2011 with the theme "Fantasy Comes Alive!" Some other themes of the past have been:- 1988 Every Day's a Holiday
- 1989 People, Pride & Progress
- 1990 The Magic of Newark
- 1991 Newark Then & Now
- 1992 Where Fairy Tales Come True
- 1993 Railroad Days
- 1994 The Best of the West
- 1995 Remembering When
- 1996 There's No Place Like Home
- 1997 It's a Small World
- 1998 Under the Big Top
- 1999
- 2000 The Sounds of Music
- 2001 Celebrate !
- 2002 Newarks of the World
- 2003 Celebrate America
- 2004 Exploring the West
- 2005 50 Golden Years
- 2006 It's all Here
- 2007 Cirque de Newark
- 2008 Celebrate America
- 2009 Celebrating the Arts
- 2010 Color the World
- 2011 Fantasy Comes Alive