October Centennial

Centennial bash ending with a bang

 

 

It has been an honor to serve as Ms. Vero Centennial this past year. Seeing the community come together to host epic events and pay homage to our town’s past as well as its future, has been nothing short of momentous.

From time capsules to an aerial circus, awards and fireworks to the planting of dozens of trees; the work from this year will live on in our wonderful city for years to come. For all who contributed, sponsored or simply attended the various events, thank you.

The success of all these efforts were memorable because of you. As our Centennial Celebrations end, rest assured we are going to wrap up with a bang. October is going to be very eventful and a special thanks to our monthly sponsors: Rotary Clubs of Vero Beach Oceanside, Orchid Island and Vero Beach, Sunrise Rotary and Sebastian, Indian River Chamber of Commerce and the National Exchange Club.

Oct. 5-6: Autumn in the Park Centennial Arts & Crafts Show.  Get some fresh art and browse outstanding gift ideas at the 32nd Annual Arts and Crafts Show which  will be held at Riverside Park in Vero Beach. The area is shaded by majestic Oak trees and overlooks the Indian River. This year’s show is part of the Centennial Celebration and will include local entertainment, founding father presentations, children’s activities, a variety of food vendors and 100 plus exhibits. Come join the fun.  Visit www.autumninthepark.info for Applications and Information. The show will be held at Riverside Park from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 

Oct. 5: Centennial Black & White Masquerade Ball. Gala guests will be partying like it is 1919 to help embrace the city’s Centennial Celebration. Sponsored by Exchange Club of Indian River Foundation, the event will include a social hour, dinner and dancing, silent and live auctions, and much more. Festive black and white country club attire and imaginative masks are the order of the evening. The event runs from 6 – 10 p.m. at the Vero Beach country Club (800 30th Street) and tickets are $100.

All proceeds from the event benefit local projects for the prevention of child abuse. For more information visit www.exchangeclubofindianriver.org

Oct. 11: Coffee with the Mayor.  This event, which runs from 8 – 9 a.m., is open to the public and hosted by Main Street Vero Beach and Vero Heritage at the Heritage Center located on 14th Ave. downtown. Coffee will be provided by Rio Coco; Countryside Citrus will be providing fresh juice and a yogurt parfait bar will be provided by the event’s sponsors White Glove Moving & Storage and Pak Mail Beachside. 

Vero Beach Mayor Val Zudan will provide an update on city business and answer questions from those in attendance. Councilman Tony Young and City Clerk Tammy Bursick, the Centennial co-chairs, will review the Centennial’s highlights over the past year and will elaborate on the grand finale set for Saturday, October 26th.  No rsvp is required, walk-ins are welcome.

Oct. 11:  Vero Premier Women’s Network at Regency Independent Living. Join sponsors White Glove Moving & Storage and Regency Independent Living as they host Tammy Bursick, City Clerk and Centennial co-chair, for a presentation of Vero’s Centennial year in review from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  This “ladies only” networking luncheon includes the presentation, lunch, dessert, tea, 30 second commercial to promote one’s business or event, testimonials and door prizes provided by those who attend. Cost is $20 and am RSVP must be submitted to Anna Valencia Tillery at AnnaV@WhiteGloveUSA.net.

 

Oct. 12:  Blessing of the Fleet & Barbecue. Set sail with the Vero Beach Yacht Club as it partners with the City of Vero Beach and the City Marina to help celebrate the city’s 100th birthday by inviting boaters from Vero Beach and surrounding communities to participate in an expanded Blessing of the Fleet. The annual Blessing is a long-held tradition to help ensure a safe and bountiful boating season. Clergy from various denominations will gather at 3 p.m. on the City Marina gas dock and bless participating boats as they pass by. Custom dictates that passengers on the boats throw flowers into the water and toward the clergy as they pass by.

Following the ceremony participants are invited to the Yacht Club for a special $15 barbecue with live music. The marina will make mooring balls available to visiting boats and the club’s pontoon boat “Friendship,” along with a marina vessel, will ferry people to the club and back. For more information visit the club’s web site at www.verobeachyachtclub.com and complete the registration form by Sept. 27. Registration forms are also located at the club, 3601 Rio Vista Blvd.

Oct. 26: Centennial Grand Finale. Plan to spend the day (9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.) downtown and enjoy the town’s rich history with neighbors and new friends.  Bring your blankets and chairs and set up along 14th Ave.  around the Heritage Center for great views of the parade. Afterward, join vendors inside the Heritage Center for fun activities, goodies and more or stroll along the street for food, music and entertainment honoring our founding fathers and pioneer families.

Included in the Centennial Celebration will be the annual Halloween Parade and Costume Contest, presented by the Recreation Department.  These marchers will serve as a prelude to the Centennial Parade. The line-up for the Halloween Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Vero Beach Freshman Learning Center and the costume contest will be held before the start of the parade at 10 a.m.

The Halloween Parade will end at the Vero Beach Community Center (2266 14th Ave.) while the Centennial Parade will continue to just north of the Old Vero Beach Railroad Station. Everyone is encouraged to dress up, however, the free goody bag and contest are for children 17 and under.

Sponsored in part by George E. Warren Corp., the Centennial portion of the parade will include cows and horses from the Cattlemen’s Association, antique cars, Wells Fargo Stagecoach, entertainment and more.

 

Oct. 29: Industry Appreciation Awards.  Each year, the Economic Development Office of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce coordinates the Industry Appreciation Awards program, recognizing local businesses that have a positive impact on the community, either through community involvement, job creation or architectural enhancements. This year, there will be a special tie-in with the Vero Beach Centennial Celebration.

The event will recognize local companies that have been in business for 100 years or more – and there are more than you might think.  Representatives from these businesses will be invited to attend the event, to receive their Centennial Certificates and have a group photo taken.

The Awards Luncheon will be held at the Indian River State College Richardson Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  For more information, call Helene Caseltine, Economic Development Director with the Indian River Chamber, at 772-567-3491.

 

Nov. 2 — Beachside Bonfire Fest II.  As a Centennial bonus join revelers on the beach from 5 – 9 p.m. for a repeat of the Beachside Bonfire Fest, one of the kickoff celebration events last year. Don’t miss a chance to walk barefoot in the sand while music fills the air and flames dance in the breeze. Beachside Bonfire Fest II will be held in front of Waldos, Costa d’Este, Mulligan’s and Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. Each establishment will provide a bonfire, music (DJ or band) and sell food and beverages. The trolley will run from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. picking up and dropping off people at Riverside Park.  Yours truly, Ms. Vero Centennial, will also be out on the beach giving away glow wands to the children; come by and say hi.

(Anna Valencia Tillery aka Ms. Vero Centennial, has been your once-a-month guide to all things pertaining to Vero Beach’s centennial celebration.)