Pretend City marks 2 years of reality

Pretend City Children’s Museum, an Irvine nonprofit, celebrated two successful years of educational programs at an anniversary event Tuesday attended by more than 1,500 people.

Founded in 2009, the 28,000-square-foot museum contains a fictional city with versions of 15 local landmarks and city amenities, including the Newport Beach Pier, a post office, a Ralphs grocery store and a doctor’s office.

Based on interactive programs, the museum is designed to be a place for families where “imagination and education come to play,” according to the organization’s website.

The Tuesday afternoon celebration also kicked off the museum’s new Families Night Out program. The museum has extended Friday night hours to 8 p.m. through the end of November.

“Pretend City may only be 2 years old, but it is my pleasure to note that the Irvine museum for and about children is all grown up,” Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang said in a press release.

About 335,000 guests have visited Pretend City.

— Sarah Peters