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Balboa Park has numerous exhibitions, community events and family programs in the works to commemorate its century-plus of history and usher in the new millennium. Leading the charge is Balboa Park Exposition 2000, a year-long celebration of the past and future of Balboa Park with an expected attendance of 12 million. Ericsson Wireless Communications Inc. and the Exposition 2000 Organizing Committee Inc. have teamed up to produce the Expo, which organizers hope will increase public awareness of the resources within this beautiful city landmark.
"This year-long celebration will give our visiting public the full experience of the ongoing renaissance in Balboa Park," says David Brennan, chairman of the Central Balboa Park Association. "The efforts of the park's institutions together with Expo 2000 to showcase Balboa Park's many new additions, attractions and experiences during this time will be a major benefit for the public and our community. We invite every person from our world community to join us in this year-long celebration."
Kicking off on New Year’s Eve is the park's New Year Millennium Countdown Celebration. The 21-and-up party runs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and features live music on five stages, dance zones throughout the park with cutting-edge rock, hip hop and salsa music, street performers, interactive games, theme food and beverage areas, midnight fireworks and free admission to museums between 6 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $30 and available through (619) 220-TIXS.
Special Expo 2000 events continue with Family Fun Day featuring a parade, live music, magicians, face painting and more on Jan. 1, 2000 from noon to 6 p.m. Community Day on Jan. 2. takes place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features music, dance, the arts, ethnic foods and the Millennium Madness 5K Run/Walk, International Parade and Kite-Flying Festival. Expo 2000 festivities are planned throughout the year with an Event Series through Dec. 31, 2000, and a Millennium Cap Celebration serving as the grand finale to the Expo from Dec. 21, 2000 to Jan. 1, 2001.
A variety of experts are working as the Expo 2000 Board of Directors including Art Bishop, executive director of the Automotive Museum; Pamela D. Crooks, the retired deputy executive director at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center; Mardi Snow, public relations director at the park's central communications office, Balboa Park Promotions; Christine Fontana, a long-time park volunteer who has chaired five other park organizations; Betty Peabody, a member of the San Diego Museum of Man board, the Central Balboa Park Association and many other park organizations for more than 27 years; and Jeffrey W. Kirsch, executive director of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
Exposition 2000 civic partners are the City of San Diego, its Park and Recreation Department, Central Balboa Park Association, Balboa Park Committee, the County of San Diego, San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater San Diego Chamber. Corporate partners include Gateway, SAIC, Clear Channel Communications, Hillcrest Business Association, Peninsula Bank, San Diego Magazine, San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego National Bank, San Diego Foundation, and Luce, Forward, Hamilton, Scripps.
Steven S. Wall, a partner at Luce Forward, brings his expertise in real estate litigation, condemnation, energy law and environmental matters to his position as chairman of both the Balboa Park Exposition 2000 Organizing Committee Inc. and the Balboa Park Millennium Society. He is the former chairman of the Central Balboa Park Association.
The agency of record for marketing and sponsorship of Expo 2000 is Interface Event Marketing, led by president Gregory G. Seremetis, who spearheaded the effort to secure Ericsson as the presenting sponsor.
Expo proceeds benefit the Balboa Park Millennium Society and Endowment, which funds annual education, community and promotional outreach programs for the park. Founded in 1998, the Balboa Park Millennium Society unites community and civic leaders to preserve Balboa Park's legacy. Its board consists of Steven Wall, Donna Smith, David Brennan, Pamela Crooks, Phil Klauber, Betty Peabody and Libby Carson. An Endowment Funds Committee headed by co-chairs Phil Klauber and Charlotte Nielsen includes Bob Breitbard, David Brennan, Malin Burnham, Libby Carson, Mary and Dallas Clark, Ellen Revelle Eckis, Wig Fletcher, Joseph Hibben, Betty Hubbard, Hamilton Marston, Betty and Dr. Homer Peabody, Doonie Marston Pettit, Kay and David Porter, Lynn Silva, Steven Wall and Mary L. Walshok.
This year the society began a campaign to raise $2 million for an endowment fund to ensure its mission is realized. The goal is to find 1,000 San Diegans to donate $2,000 each as "Charter Members" to fund the endowment. The Millennium Society also is eager to recruit individual and corporate members by calling the society at (619) 235-5907. For more information on Expo 2000, visit balboaparkexpo.com
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Learn about modern conservation techniques employed to save aging works of art when the Timken Museum of Art hosts "The Art of Conservation: Preserving the Past for a New Millennium" through Feb. 15. Nine masterpieces that were carefully treated at the Balboa Art Conservation Center are displayed, along with pre-treatment photos. More information is available at (619) 239-5548.
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"Picturing Paradise: Marketing San Diego 1875-1940" is at the San Diego Historical society museum in Balboa Park through Jan. 30, a companion to "Picturing Paradise: San Diego in the Eye of the Artist, 1875-1940" at the San Diego Museum of Art. The Historical society exhibition highlights how the foundation was laid for the burgeoning influx of commerce and tourism enjoyed today. Last year’s Gross Regional Product of an estimated $91.6 billion, including $4.7 billion spent by tourists, is evidence of something done right a long time ago. The museum number is (619) 232-6203.
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Finally, the last Christmas on the Prado of the millennium takes place on Dec. 3 and 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event features international entertainment on four stages, free admission to all museums, samples of international and all-American foods, the "Santa Lucia" procession of children singing traditional songs and a Kids Zone. Free parking and continuous shuttle service for Christmas on the Prado is available from Zoo parking lots and the Naval Hospital on Park Boulevard. Call the Visitors Center at (619) 239-0512 for more.
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