Birthday Plans Include Activities for All

Although residents and officials have been celebrating the city’s 10th birthday all year, three events will provide an opportunity to formally mark Monday’s anniversary of cityhood.

A 5K run and 10K walk will start at 8 a.m. Saturday at Newhall Park. The entry fee is $10 per person in advance or $15 the day of the event.

After the run and walk, a picnic that officials are calling their “big birthday bonanza” will begin at 11 a.m. in the park. On the schedule are a performance by the band Bobby Cochran and the Rhythm Rockers, games and giveaways for children and birthday cake for all.

City children who celebrate their 10th birthdays this month will be asked to join City Council members for a photograph. In addition, every 10-year-old attending will receive a commemorative pin from the city.

Mayor Jan Heidt, who took over the annually rotating post from fellow City Council member Clyde Smyth on Tuesday, will give awards to the winners of a birthday card coloring contest and an essay contest on the theme “If I Were Mayor, I Would . . . .”

Scheduled to join Santa Clarita officials at the picnic are state Assemblyman George Runner (R-Lancaster) and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

An after-work party aimed at local business and community leaders will cap the festivities Wednesday evening.

The “holiday mixer” will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot. Tickets are $5 per person, with proceeds going to the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The City Council Chambers, which occupy a corner of City Hall adjacent to the parking lot, will be full of exhibits detailing the incorporation drive and the past decade’s milestones.

Smyth called the party “a great way for the community to meet and ask questions of leaders within the city.”

Information about the events is available at the following telephone numbers: for the run and walk, (805) 255-4910; for the picnic, (805) 255-4314; and for the party, (805) 259-4787.

Newhall Park is at 24933 Newhall Ave. City Hall is at 23920 Valencia Blvd.