Redmond Centennial events

As the year 2010 approaches interest in the events planned to celebrate Redmond’s 100th birthday is growing.

“We’re starting to get more inquiries,” said Betty Borgen, assistant to the Redmond city manager and chairwoman of the Centennial Advisory Committee. “It’s great to see more community interest.”
Borgen encourages anyone planning reunions during 2010 – school or family – to plan them around Centennial events.Three major weekends of festivities are planned for the year to mark the city’s centennial of incorporation, July 6, 1910, but first the Redmond Centennial Committee is kicking off the celebration with a fundraising dinner next month.

The October 2009 dinner will raise money to support the events, school and community projects and potential commemorative art or other creations, said event planner Amanda Gow of Specialized Meetings and Events.The cost of the dinner includes beer from Cascades Lakes Brewery and wine from Maragas Winery. Tate & Tate will cater the meal, which will feature chicken and tri-tip and all the sides, Gow said. Three Quarters Short will provide music for dancing.Organizers are still looking for more items for the silent auction.

“Donations are coming along, but we want to get the word out to all Redmond merchants,” she said.Even small items are welcome as they can be grouped together in theme packages, she said.

“We’re real excited,” Gow said.Gow and co-owner Kim Thompson have a contract with the city to provide the event planning, raise funds, find sponsorships and coordinate the volunteers for the Centennial celebrations. They have been paid $10,000 for their services since the contract was signed in November 2008, Borgen said. The remainder of their pay will be based on how much money they are able to bring in through fundraising and sponsorships.

“Hopefully the October dinner will be a big boost to all of that,” Borgen said.The $10,000 was from $75,000 the city saved over the course of three years to pay for Centennial events, Borgen said, leaving $65,000 for other Centennial event expenses.

Gow and Thompson still are soliciting business and individuals for sponsorships ranging from $25,000 presenting sponsor to $50 railroad level sponsors. So far they have signed up Mid-State Fertilizer as the $7,500 presenting sponsor for the Harvest Celebration.Other committed sponsors are T-Mobile, $2,500, Cline Falls Level; and Clear Choice Health Plans, Jess Messner State Farm Insurance and Redmond Memorial Chapel, all $1,000 Deschutes Level sponsors. Supporting sponsors are Beckel Canvas Products (Centennial tent), Dana Signs (banner), Cascade Lakes Brewing Company (Centennial beer), Di Lusso Coffee (Centennial Roast), KBND and KMTK “The Mountain” and Maragas Winery (Centennial wine).

Redmond Centennial EventsFundraising dinner
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, 5 p.m.
Redmond Humane Society Event Center, 1355 N.E. Hemlock Ave.
Country barbecue dinner, silent auction, live band, dancing; hosted beer and wine.
Cost: $50 per person or $500 for a reserved table for eight
Deadline for reservations: Oct. 1, 2009
Amanda@specialized-events.com or 541-385-7988

Centennial Poster Art Contest
Open to all
Deadline for entries is Dec. 1, 2009
Rules, entry form, information: kim@specialized-events.com

Kickoff Celebration Weekend
May 28-31, 2010
Centennial merchandise release parties, historic displays, talking tombstones, historic tours, community breakfast

Centennial Week/Fourth of July
July 2-6, 2010
Fourth of July events, parade, Rockchuck Ramble, celebration and dedication in Centennial Park with music, food, vendors and children’s activities; pie social, boxed lunch sale, bake sale, historical equipment displays, draft horses, Centennial quilt raffle, historical characters and tours.

Harvest Celebration
Sept. 17-20, 2010
Celebration of industries that built Redmond, including agriculture (potatoes), the railroad, irrigation and the airport. Hay and pony rides, historic characters and tours, the 100th anniversary of the Ehret Building. More informationwww.ci.redmond.or.us; click on centennial logoFacebook page under Redmond, Oregon Centennial541-504-2010; email redmond2010@ci.redmond.or.us