Friends of Columbia SHP

Big Band Dance Night 2011

boblippert99209 — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:46:12 +0000

17th Annual Big Band Street Dance commemorates
Dedication of Columbia State Historic Park

Free concert and dancing on July 23 at Main Street in Columbia
Featuring Rod Harris and the Columbia Kicks Big Band and tri-tip bar-b-que

COLUMBIA, CA (June 30, 2011) Saturday, July 23, 2011 Columbia will commemorate the July 1945 dedication of Columbia State Historic Park. For the past 16 years, Columbia has recognized this important event by hosting a big band era street dance with period music provided by Rod Harris and the Columbia Kicks Big Band.

The free event includes additional music by Blue Shoes Band, a custom car show and contests for dancing and best period costumes. New for this year, a $9 tri-tip bar-b-que dinner will be served on Main Street starting at 5:30 p.m. for the community to enjoy before the dancing commences.

Big Band Street Dance is a fund raising event sponsored by Friends of Columbia State Historic Park. John Glamuzina, president of the organization, said “The Street Dance is one of our best and most popular events. This year, we have strung lights over the street where we dance, and with the addition of Blue Shoes and the tri-tip dinner we expect to have the most fun ever.”

Columbia State Historic Park was dedicated on July 15, 1945 just as the nation was celebrating the end of the war in Europe and still dreading the horrors of a climaxing war in the Pacific.

Governor Earl Warren made Columbia the State Capital for a day and with his cabinet gathered at the McConnell House on Main Street, he dedicated the park. A signing ceremony turned into a large celebration.

Mrs. Geraldine McConnell in a 1970 interview said, “July 15, 1945… and they had at least 12,000 people. Everybody helped. It was a do-it-yourself. There wasn’t even a hot dog stand. Everybody brought their picnic lunch. Everyone had such a good time!”

Glamuzina said “Friends is honored to take the occasion of this historic park dedication and celebrate the times, dress and music of the day. Bring your lawn chairs, come dressed to the nines and don’t forget your best dancing shoes.”

“We hope to see folks come out early this year, enjoy a great tri-tip dinner and warm up with Blue Shoes. Veterans from all branches of service will be recognized and we want people to wear WWII era uniforms or civilian costumes from the period and compete for prizes.” added Glamuzina.

Period and custom cars will be on display in Columbia by late afternoon. The large portion bar-b-que dinner, for $9 per plate, will be served on Main Street from 5:30 p.m. until sold out. Blue Shoes Band will entertain the crowd until Rod Harris and the Columbia Kicks Big Band take the stage at 8:00 p.m.

This is the 2nd of 3 concerts in the Summer Concert Series. The 3rd free concert, “Summer Heatin’ Up” will be on August 20, 2011 featuring the Lava Cats and the Blues Box Bayou Band.

Friends of Columbia State Historic Park supports the park through interpretive programs and fund raising. Last year, Friends gave the park $20,000 to fund park aide positions.

Where History Comes Alive!

boblippert99209 — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:24:37 +0000

This is the new home of Friends of Columbia State Historic Park. Soon you will find more information and updates about our programs at Columbia State Historic Park. Please be patient while the new site is being developed.

For now, please visit the Columbia Chamber of Commerce website for event and community information.

Friends of Columbia is a 501 (C) (3) Public Benefit Corporation.

Our primary mission is to promote and support the preservation, educational and interpretative activities of Columbia State Historic Park through the raising and managing of funds, and to financially assist the state in carrying out those activities.

To make a donation mail your check made out to Friends of Columbia to P.O. Box 367 Columbia, CA 95310. Your donation is tax deductible. You may contact Friends at friendsofcolumbia@sbcglobal.net or call the Museum Store at (209) 532-3184.

A Friend Indeed!

boblippert99209 — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:25:06 +0000

This year, Friends of Columbia presented Vince Serano, Calaveras Sector Superintendent, two checks totaling $20,000.00 to support Columbia State Park Interpretative and Park Aide salaries. Friends of Columbia funds educational and interpretive programs at Columbia State Historic Park thanks to the support of its members, donors and folks like YOU!

Columbia Passport order form (for schools)

boblippert99209 — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:26:44 +0000

Schoolhouse Living History Program and Bucket Brigade
This two-hour program consists of a 1-hour program led by park staff at the museum, consisting of a lesson on Columbia and the gold-rush, including the role of fire in the development of gold rush towns, the routes miners and merchants took to get to California, where they came from, and how they made their livings in gold-rush Columbia.

The second part of the museum program includes a hands-on bucket brigade, weather permitting. Students then walk up the hill to the 1861 brick Columbia Schoolhouse, where a costumed schoolteacher presents an hour-long school program, using the methods and tools of the 1861 classroom. For more information, contact the Park at (209) 588-9128.

Friends of Columbia is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support our educational programs. We also offer teaching aides, including the popular “Discover Columbia” passport, and other Columbia-specific educational materials. To order fill out this FriendsPassportOrderForm Then mail your order to:

Friends of Columbia, P.O. Box 367, Columbia, CA 95310