Long Beach : Centennial Fund Grows

There is a birthday party in the works, and Long Beach plans to do it in style--with International City Celebration Inc. reporting that it has $1.5 million in money and in-kind services to spend on next year’s centennial.

In a status report to the City Council, the group summarized what it has done since February, when it started with about $15,000 in its coffers.

Since its inception, the group planning Long Beach’s 100th birthday bash has netted 116 sponsors from the private sector, commissioned an official centennial logo and held numerous meetings with community agencies and sponsors, among other things.

International City Celebration has so far accumulated $550,000 in cash and future cash commitments, $200,000 from the city and $800,000 in in-kind services from private sponsors, according to its report to the council.

Officials hope to use the centennial celebration to promote Long Beach on a regional, national and international basis.