The Port of Los Angeles will celebrate its 100th birthday with a bang on Sunday, December 9, featuring a free community celebration culminating in a boat and fireworks show in the Main Channel just south of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.  The festivities begin at 4:00 p.m. along the water at First Street and Harbor Boulevards in San Pedro and fireworks are expected to begin at 7:10 p.m.

This family-friendly birthday bash will include: activities; historical displays; videotaped stories of “how it was” from those who lived, visited or worked in and around the Port; carnival-style refreshments; official congratulatory presentations; a first-ever North American performance by Taiwan’s Evergreen Symphony Orchestra; tallship, fireboat and light shows in the Main Channel and fireworks.

“The Port of Los Angeles has been making history from the moment it was officially created in 1907, and on December 9th we’ll officially celebrate our past and ushering in our next 100 years,” said Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., Port of Los Angeles executive director.

Free parking for this event is available at 22nd and Miner Streets, and 22nd and Signal Streets in San Pedro. Shuttle buses will be provided free of charge and the Waterfront Red Car Line, with refurbished and replica historic Pacific Electric Red Cars, will be shuttling visitors to the event free of charge as well.  For more information on the Port’s Centennial Birthday Party Celebration, please call (800) 831-PORT or check the website  at www.portoflosangeles.org.

Encore Performance!

On December 10, the 76-member Evergreen Symphony Orchestra will be performing a special full-length concert at the historic Warner Grand Theatre in downtown San Pedro.  The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. The symphony is the innovation of Dr. Chang Yung-Fa, the chairman and founder of The Evergreen Group, His charitable organization, Chang Yung-Fa Foundation, supports the orchestra and also assists other arts and humanitarian causes in Asia and around the world. December 10 concert tickets are only $25 in advance, $30 at the door and $5 for students and seniors.  Festive in holiday or business attire is suggested.  Proceeds benefit the Grand Vision Foundation, the organization which is refurbishing the historic theatre.  For tickets call (310) 833-4813 or visit www.grandvision.org.

Celebrating its Centennial in 2007, the Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port. As the leading seaport in the nation in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. At the Port of Los Angeles, high priority is placed on responsible and sustainable growth initiatives, combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. For its industry leading environmental initiatives, the Port received two Environmental Protection Agency awards in 2006. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.