City Starts Planning for 75th Anniversary

Though the event is still four years off, the city is already making plans for its 75th anniversary in 2000.

A picnic, chili cook-off, old settlers’ parade, time capsule ceremony, fireworks show and costume ball are among events being considered by the newly formed La Habra 2000 Founders Day Committee, charged with organizing the festivities.

At the panel’s first meeting, 35 community leaders suggested a number of ideas that extend beyond the celebration--sprucing up the city, for example, by encouraging landlords and residents to plant flower beds, and asking residents and businesses to make improvements.

Other ideas focused on bringing back the downtown angled parking that existed decades ago along La Habra Boulevard and continuing research on historical landmarks.

“I just hope four years is enough time to get everything done,” said Rene Shafer, a committee member.

Panel member Robert Dale said La Habra 2000 “is just in the beginning stages.

“We are trying to encourage communitywide participation and focus attention on the future by looking at the past, where we’ve been, and use the year 2000 to look at where we’re going.”

La Habra was incorporated on Jan. 22, 1925. Dale said he hopes the day will be commemorated every year leading up to the 75th anniversary.

The committee’s next meeting will be a public session May 20 at the La Habra Community Center, 101 W. La Habra Blvd.

Information: (310) 905-9700.