Party of the century for a century

The city of Burbank is planning a New Year’s Eve party and everyone’s invited.

The Centennial Bash will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday under the Olive Avenue overpass, steps from where the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn. volunteers are building the float, titled “Centennial Celebration”.

It’s the kick-off event for the yearlong celebration marking the city’s 100th year and the send-off for the float, said Gaby Flores, deputy director of the Park, Recreation and Community Services Department and chairwoman of the centennial celebration.

It’s a collaborative effort, she said, pointing to the volunteers from various city departments and community organizations.

“To do all that we’re doing, it couldn’t have happened without all the people involved,” Flores said.

The New Year’s Eve party will have live music, hors d’oeuvres and family activities.

Cartoon Network is providing the food and support staff and will be giving away a black commemorative mug, featuring their new logo and the city’s centennial logo.

“We’re hoping 300 to 400 people come, but are inviting everyone in Burbank,” she said.

The celebration is earlier than midnight because organizers want families to be able to attend together, Flores added, and then they can pursue their own plans later in the evening.

“This is all about families and the celebration of memories of the past and future — that’s what we’re really trying to focus on,” she said.

There will be a countdown just before 9 p.m. and prior to that, a video highlighting all the city programs.

The other component of the party is the send-off for the float.

“It’s awesome!” Flores said. “This is its send-off to the world. Not many other cities have self-built floats and it’s a celebration of the community and also a send-off by the community because it wouldn’t happen without the help of our volunteers.”

The party will have a live concert by Stone Soul, said Cathryn LaBrado, city recreation supervisor and organizer of the Centennial Bash.

“We’ve had them perform at the Starlight Bowl before. They are upbeat, family friendly and very ideal for a New Year’s Eve celebration,” she said.

Around 7:30 p.m. the float will make its debut and be on display before it leaves for Pasadena, LaBrado said. It will be a major part of the final festivities at 9 p.m.

“A special surprise will be coming from the Rose float to make our countdown super exciting,” she said.

Having the float as the central part of the centennial celebration kick-off activities is an honor, said Robert Hutt, president of the Burbank Tournament of Roses Assn.

“It’s a tribute to all the community volunteers who have come out and brought this float to life,” he said. “They not only work on the float this last week between Christmas and New Year’s. One of the things we’d like people to know is this is a year-round process to put the float together.”

Other centennial events planned are the Party of the Century on July 8, the date the city was incorporated, and a Let’s Move Burbank! event on Oct. 1, LaBrado said.