EVENTS : Gala at Bowers Museum Celebrates Columbus’ Journey

Fans of Christopher Columbus can celebrate his famous voyage at a gala being hosted by the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana.

The celebration will be one of the few Columbus-related events in the county during this quincentenary year.

The program will begin with a red-white-and-blue salute to the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be 100 years old on Oct. 9. A skit involving Columbus, Betsy Ross and an American Indian will be sponsored by Celebration U.S.A., followed by a concert of patriotic songs by the Villa Park High School Madrigals.

Dr. James L. Doti, the president of Chapman University, will deliver the celebration address and will receive the foundation’s Heritage Award, given annually to an Italian-American living in the county who has excelled in community service.

A highlight of the day will be the Renaissance Foundation’s formal presentation of a $250,000 donation to the newly renovated museum. The gift includes a bronze bust of Columbus, sculpted by Domenico Mazzone of New Jersey, which will be unveiled and dedicated.

Mazzone, who will attend, designed the peace medals for the 1978 Camp David accords. His works are on view at the Vatican, the United Nations and the Kennedy Center in Washington. The dedication will be preceded by remarks by the consulate generals of Spain and Italy, according to organizers.

Throughout the event, the U.S. Postal Service will sell Columbus issue envelopes, posted with a specially canceled commemorative stamp of the explorer, for $1. Tickets to a luncheon in the museum courtyard after the program also will be on sale.

What: Quincentennial celebration sponsored by the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation.

When: Thursday, Oct. 8. Ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon; luncheon from noon to 1 p.m.

Where: The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana.

Whereabouts: Take the Santa Ana (5) Freeway to the Main Street exit and head south. The museum is on the right.

Wherewithal: Ceremony, free. Luncheon, $20.

Where to call: (714) 898-1464. Ask for Kathy De Santis.