Corona Centennial Concert Turns Profit--a First

Last weekend’s concert featuring country star Johnny Cash was the first event in Corona’s 1 1/2-year-long centennial celebration to turn a profit, the Centennial Steering Committee announced Friday.

“With nearly all of our ticket outlets responding, we will realize a profit of around $11,000” from the concert and fireworks show, committee chairwoman Diedre Lingenfelter said, adding:

“This will enable us to put on our final events with little cost to the city. The centennial extravaganza gave Corona statewide exposure in the press and really rejuvenated the celebration.”

The greatest attention the centennial had previously drawn was for a cache of time capsules that were to have been opened at a picnic last September but couldn’t be found under the steps of City Hall.

The centennial committee has been criticized for failing to create a focus for the celebration or to generate widespread enthusiasm among the city’s 45,000 residents.

Although a final attendance count has not been completed, officials said the concert attracted about 4,000 people to the Corona High School stadium last Sunday night.

The last major events of the centennial--a parade, festival and fireworks show--are set for Oct. 18. The centennial committee expects to spend about $3,000 on the parade, $1,500 on entertainment and $12,000 on the fireworks show, Lingenfelter said.

The group will meet next week to decide whether to ask the City Council for money, or to charge admission to the evening’s events, said Lingenfelter, who is also Corona’s city clerk.