Despite Setback, City Birthday A Go for Saturday

Rain may have dampened Diamond Bar on the city’s original birthday celebration, but it did no such thing to its spirit as it prepares to party this Saturday.

Diamond Bar turned 23 this year. The city will mark the anniversary with a celebration at Pantera Park. The event, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include carnival rides and teen games and activities.

“The city has always put on the birthday party,” said Diamond Bar Mayor Pro-Tem Jack Tanaka. “It’s a fun event that puts the city on full display.”

“And it’s for all ages,” he said.

“People do say they have seen neighbors and friends they had not seen in a while,” Tanaka added.

Rain and gloom forced the city to postpone the event, originally scheduled for April 14, for the first time ever. Among the many concerns caused by the weather, Tanaka said they were concerned trucks and carnival rides would roll over wet grass and cause major damage to the park.

Fortunately, it was not difficult to reschedule thanks in part to the web, officials said.

“The importance of social media has become evident after the city’s annual birthday event was postponed due to weather,” said Mayor Ling-Ling Chang. “According to Facebook, the city’s reach was up 56 percent to over 1,500 people for that week.”

With the residents following the event, the city only had to make sure vendors who take part were able to re-commit, Tanaka said.

The list of the day’s event is listed below:

• Business Showcase – More than 40 local vendors will promote home, health and recreational products and services. The Regional Chamber of Commerce is organizing the event.
• Car Show – Several dozen cars and hotrods will be on display and will compete in a number of categories including Best in Show, Mayor’s Choice, and People’s Choice.
• Entertainment – Back-to-back community-based Entertainment, ranging from choreographed dances to martial arts will be performed throughout the day.
• Go Green Section – Information about the various recycling programs and options will be on hand along with as well Earth Day-themed craft activities for children.
• Carnival Attractions and Games – Rides this year will include a Ferris wheel, jumbo slide, merry-go-round, bounce houses. Prize-incentive games include basketball throw, baseball pitch, and bean bag toss.
• Public Safety Booth – Los Angeles County Fire staff will give tips on how to prepare for and respond to a major disaster. County sheriff’s representatives will provide free onsite production of KidPrint cards containing a child’s emergency-vital information.
• Shortly after 3 p.m., several volunteers will be recognized with Outstanding Volunteer awards for their good deeds and community service. Cake will be served immediately following the recognition ceremony.

Free off-site parking will be available at Pantera Elementary School and the surrounding neighborhood, with continuous free shuttle service provided from each location to the park, beginning at 10 a.m.

For more information, call the City’s Recreation Services Division at (909) 839-7070.