Art Exhibits, Dances : Del Mar’s Birthday Bash in Full Swing

San Diego county’s smallest city is inviting everyone in to celebrate its 100th birthday in festivities wedged between the county fair and the 42-day thoroughbred meet at the Del Mar Race Track.

The celebration starts officially at 2:45 p.m. today with centennial ceremonies at Seagrove Park, 15th Street and Coast Boulevard, featuring the dedication of three community flagpoles (which may be removed after the festivities because of citizen complaints) and of a first-ever city flag. The flag features the sun, a palm tree and the ocean. Birthday cake will be served.

Actually, local residents began celebrating several days ago. An art exhibit opened Tuesday, and a teen dance Thursday night in a shopping center parking lot vibrated through the town of 5,200 as the Mar Dels and Borracho y Loco performed.

Friday night the older crowd got together at a Centennial Ball, featuring contests for the best 1880s costumes and the best dancers.

The public events, expected to attract up to 30,000 participants, include a tennis tournament ending Sunday and a wine-and-cheese reception for artists in the Centennial Art Exhibit at 3 p.m. Sunday. The exhibit is on display at four locations in town through July 25.

During the coming week, scheduled events are:

- Monday--Golf tournament beginning at 8 a.m. at the Lomas Santa Fe Golf Course; a concert with Sam Hinton performing American folk songs and the Chicago Six playing Dixieland jazz, 6:30 p.m.

- Tuesday--Del Mar Surf Club members will show off their skills, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., off 15th Street, accompanied by surfing music and narration.

- Wednesday--Volleyball tournament beginning at 9 a.m. on the beach at 18th Street; community beach picnic, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on beach at 18th Street.

- Thursday--Sundowner party, 1200 block of Camino Del Mar, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., sponsored by the Del Mar Chamber of Commerce.

- Friday--Hot air balloon race, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Del Mar fairgrounds. Fifteen hot air balloons will stage a hare and hounds race.

- July 20--Street fair along Camino Del Mar, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Street closed to auto traffic all day.

- July 21--Ice cream social, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m, featuring homemade ice cream.

About 200 volunteer workers spent about $140,000 to put on the two-week celebration.