Thousands say, 'Happy Birthday, Columbia'

The Baltimore Sun

Having reached the end of 40 days of art events, sports activities, lectures, tours, fireworks and several opportunities to eat cake, organizers of Columbia's birthday celebration say they accomplished their goal of offering something for everyone.

"There were two things we were really thinking about," said Barbara Russell, chairwoman of the Columbia Birthday Task Force. "One was recognition of what a unique and wonderful place Columbia is ... and the other part of it was we wanted to have fun."

After a kick-off event under the People Tree in Town Center on June 6, three large events proved to be highlights for tens of thousands of people.

The Columbia Festival of the Arts, which held its 20th season June 6 through 23, set attendance records at its 12 ticketed events and attracted another 30,000 people to the free three-day LakeFest in Town Center in early June.

The Columbia Association revived the Columbia City Fair over the last weekend in June after a 10-year hiatus. Russell said there is no official attendance count, but she believes it drew more than 50,000 people over three days for carnival rides, booths, games and entertainment.

Russell said the event, which the Columbia Association sponsored for $130,000, inspired many people to reminisce fondly about the fairs that were once an annual event.

"It was for all the people who remembered it and to pass on a tradition down to the next generation," she said.

A final celebration Sunday at Merriweather Post Pavilion, sponsored by General Growth Properties Inc., attracted several thousand people to an afternoon of family events followed by an evening concert by the Young Columbians and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to the big events, the birthday celebration encompassed many smaller activities that drew attention to the history, culture and people of Columbia.

A pioneer dinner brought together many of the first residents of the community. The Horizon Foundation honored community leaders at a luncheon while the Women's Giving Circle held an event focusing on women in the arts and a symposium sponsored by Howard Bank examined Columbia's economic impact.

On the lighter side, a golf tournament, a road rally and a family fun day for pets and owners were among the dozens of activities offered from June 6 through last week.

"Every day was filled with something," said Barbara Nicklas, a General Growth vice president and chairwoman of the 40-day committee of the birthday task force. "I've been getting so many comments about how the community came together and that is what we were really trying to do."

sandy.alexander@baltsun.com

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