Happy birthday, Burbank

People were steadily streaming north and west toward downtown in the late-afternoon sun.

Some were perched on the lawn around City Hall, others sat on the sidewalk or in lawn chairs, while others were filling the seats in front of the main stage, awaiting the opening ceremony for the city’s centennial bash.

“Rock Around the Clock” blared from the stage in front of City Hall as 5 p.m. struck. Mayor Jess Talamantes and master of ceremonies Fritz Coleman welcomed guests to the festivities, which ended with a fireworks show.

A little farther down from City Hall, people snapped photos of classic cars and stood in line for reusable centennial bags and signed centennial posters.

“It’s very cool that the artist is signing the posters,” Lori Waite, an eight-year resident, said as she waited in the sun with her daughter. “They have a nice art-deco feel, and I think it’s worth having as a keepsake.”

Katie McKellick was visiting her friend Lindsey Casik in North Hollywood and decided to attend the celebration.

“We were looking up something to do and found out about this,” said McKellick, 19. “[The information] said there would be music, and I was interested in that.”

Casik, also 19, said she often comes to Burbank to shop and dine. Casik moved to the area about a year ago and said she likes the convenience of having the mall so close to the shops on San Fernando.

A few blocks away, children and their parents waited in line to take pictures with a T-Rex. Across the street, teenagers and adults were posing with a life-like Bob Hope.

Rosa Fathi and her husband Fred have lived in Burbank since 1981. She said they wanted to be a part of Burbank’s centennial celebration and noted how much the city had changed.

“When we first moved here, everything closed at 6 or 7,” she said. “Restaurants developed; there are stores on San Fernando; and you can now walk and not be afraid.”