roanokecelebrates.com

So the city has put together a URL linked to a page under the City Manager's site on Roanokegov.com about it's 125th Anniversary.

RoanokeCelebrates.com

It contains a list of all the activities planned to mark 125 years of Roanoke.
This is the list, in full.

125th Anniversary Celebration Calendar of Events
February 3, 2007 — Proclamation of the City's 125th Anniversary made by City Council
A commemoration of the City of Roanoke's 125th anniversary celebration in the Jefferson Center Atrium Hall and announcement of the March 31, 2007 kick-off event and other activities and events throughout the year.

March 31, 2007 — 125th Anniversary Kick-off Event
The event will include some of the following: a procession from Hotel Roanoke to the Roanoke Civic Center; an opening ceremony in the coliseum; exhibits in the new exhibit hall; family fun activities in the old exhibit hall.

April 2007 — America's Anniversary Gardens
Coordination with Parks & Recreation and garden club organizations for special landscaping to create America's Anniversary Garden at the main corridors, plazas, and thoroughfares of the City during 2007.

July 4th Fireworks
Recognition of the city's 125th anniversary and the 400th anniversary of Jamestown during the fireworks celebration at River's Edge.

July 27-29 — Antique Road Show
Antique and Collectible Appraisal Fair with Gordon Converse.

September 11-12, 2007 — Building New Partnerships Conference
Small and Minority Business Symposium

September 14-16 — Spirit in September
Music Extravaganza & Choral Exhibition at the Roanoke Civic Center.

October 4-7, 2007 — Roanoke Arts Festival
The first annual Roanoke Arts Festival will be held at various venues throughout the city. This four day extravaganza will incorporate all components of the performing arts, including the symphony, theatre, ballet and opera.

October 2007 — "Renovate Roanoke"
Preserving and renovating old buildings. This event will include hands-on workshops, speakers, research resources from the Virginia Room, etc. Committee of city staff and community leaders has been formed to plan the project.

December 24, 2007 — Finale Event/Reception at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
The Hotel Roanoke will celebrate its 125th Anniversary by hosting a reception for citizens early afternoon. The hotel will feature their nationally renowned Christmas trees, an antique Santa Claus, chamber music and hors d'oeuvres during the event.


Thats the entire list, everything the city has planned to make this year special. All I can say is, I'm sorry. I was hoping for something a little more lively and fun, perhaps even grander in scale - but once again, I overthink things too much. I guess 125 years is not really worthy of much community celebrating, but a choral exhibition.. wow.

Oh, and lets not bypass the parade on March 31st, which will go by in the blink of an eye as it only takes me 8 minutes to walk from the HRCC to the Civic Center - obviously a parade for the masses.

I propose a year filled with neighborhood block parties, special contests for decorating your house in it's original garb (the F-R HQ dates from 1925, and I am often curious what it looked like back then.), themed parties downtown on the streets, and special vendors on the market who make it look and feel like it did 100 or so years ago.

And let's not forget good ol' Fire Station #1, which also turns 100 this year.

But no, an antiques road show is much more important... much.