It’s been a year of great celebrations as Mission Beach caps its 100th anniversary observance this month with a Centennial Festival & BBQ Competition between Belmont Park and Ventura Boulevard — an event that will spill out onto the streets Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
More than 15,000 people are expected to swell the centennial festival, which will take San Diegans “through the decades” of this beach community, starting from the roaring 1920s. Guests will enjoy a “Bathing Beauties Fashion Show” with swimsuits from the ’20s, sponsored by Pilar’s Beachwear.
The event will also feature a walking museum filled with Mission Beach memorabilia.
Entertainment in and around 3146 Mission Blvd. will include local live music performed by Split Finger, Rian Basilio and the Roosters, The Soulside Players, The Jackstraws, Fred Thompson Ukulele Majesty, Sue Palmer and the Euphoria Brass Band.
Adults will be able to dive into drinks at a craft-style beer garden. The little ones will have their own party too, with a Kids’ Zone set up inside Belmont Park to entertain youngsters of all ages. Inside the Kids’ Zone, families will find plenty of activities, include The Boo Hoo Crew, the Hullabaloo Band, magicians, balloon art, free face painting, rides and attractions.
To date, the Mission Beach centennial celebration has featured nine community-based events: a monument dedication and resident walk, a pub crawl, a “MeetThe Legends Surf Classic,” a Father’s Day classic car show, a “Dive-In” movie featuring the 1975 thriller “Jaws,” a horseshoe tournament put on by the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, a hands-on sandcastle-building demonstration and a volleyball tournament. It all leads up to this, the piece de resistance: the free Centennial Festival & BBQ Competition.
The festival wouldn’t be complete without tasty grub. Visitors will be able to grab the best barbecue taste treats at the sanctioned cook-off area, with samplings starting at 11 a.m. until they’re gone. Some San Diego favorites like Brazen BBQ, Holy Mole, Chillin & Grillin and Rubbed the Right Way will be competing.
San Diego’s finest festival food and vendors will also be attending.
“This is a festival and a Mission Beach birthday celebration that San Diegans cannot miss out on,” said Wendy Crain, co-chairwoman for the Mission Beach Centennial. “San Diego lifeguards are celebrating 100 years of service as well, and we’ll incorporate this into the festival.
“We would like to thank our sponsors, committee members, The Mission Beach Women’s Club, The Mission Beach Town Council, OMBAC, San Diego Park and Rec, the city of San Diego, the Beach & Bay Press and the entire Mission Beach community for helping us celebrate the spirit that is Mission Beach,” she said.
For more information, visit www.missionbeachcentennial.org or call (858) 488-1549.