SAN BERNARDINO PARTIES LIKE IT’S 199

(SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.) San Bernardino is ready to party like it’s 199!

San Bernardino turns 199 on May, 20 2009 and will celebrate with a public birthday party on the steps of City Hall Plaza at 12 noon. There will be a cake created by The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire, cheerleaders from San Bernardino High School and a kickoff of a year more of celebrating, leading up to the milestone 200th birthday on May 20, 2010.

Tradition has it that Father Francisco Dumetz made his last trip from Mission San Gabriel to the San Bernardino Valley on May 20, 1810 to set up a new community. Padre Dumetz named the area "San Bernardino" after Saint Bernardine of Siena, the patron saint of the day on the Catholic calendar.

“San Bernardino has accomplished many great things in its first two centuries,” said Rabbi Hillel Cohn, chairman of the Bicentennial Committee. “And the 199th birthday is a time to celebrate and begin our focus on what can be an even greater next 100 years.”

As part of the celebration Mayor Patrick Morris plans to present a bicentennial logo with the motto “A Rich History. A Bright Future.” He will then tell about plans for the downtown area of San Bernardino. Renderings and models of these plans will be displayed.

For more information, call Erin Brinker at (951) 323-9337.