Oceanside celebrates 125 years

OCEANSIDE — It’s going to be a special summer in Oceanside, as it celebrates its 125th anniversary, marked with a number of events. With the official anniversary date on July 3, 2013, the schedule of events will take place primarily during the week of July 4 and include concerts, a parade, a street market and fireworks.Throughout the year, a special booth showcasing the city’s colorful history in photos will be on display at Oceanside’s weekly daytime and sunset street market. And, all summer long, visitors can meet on the second Saturday of each month for Oceanside Historical Society’s complimentary guided Downtown History Walks.

“Oceanside has such a rich, interesting history as a seaside getaway, a celebrity escape and a gateway between Los Angeles and San Diego,” said Leslee Gaul, of Visit Oceanside. “Our goal is to have both visitors and locals share in the celebration of this milestone and gain a deeper appreciation for Oceanside’s place in San Diego’s history.”

The current calendar of anniversary events includes:

—June 21: Concert by The Surfari’s, who wrote “Wipe Out,” 5 to 8 p.m. at Rancho Del Oro park.

— June 29: 125 Anniversary Freedom Day Parade through downtown, 10 a.m. to noon.

— Live concert, outdoor pier beach amphitheater, 5 p.m.

— Movie screening of “Bring It On” (filmed in Oceanside), at the pier beach amphitheater at dusk.

— July 3: Anniversary proclamation, Civic Center Plaza, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 125th Anniversary fireworks, 9:15 p.m. El Corazon park, bounded by Rancho del Oro Drive, Oceanside Boulevard El Camino Real and Mesa Drive.

— July 4: Special Star-Spangled Anniversary Sunset Market with children’s activities, live music, eats and 140 vendors with products and produce, downtown Oceanside, 2 to 9:30 p.m.

— July 7: Concert At Heritage Park from 4 to 6 p.m.

In addition, Oceanside offers a second-Saturday free, guided Downtown History Walk at 9 a.m. from the Oceanside Civic Center Fountain at Coast Highway and Pier View Way. Walks take participants to historic homes, churches, and banks, three Irving J. Gill buildings, the famed “Top Gun” house, the Oceanside Pier and band shell and variety of other sites. The tour takes about two hours.