Marking 250 years of history, culture and achievement in the place where California began, the City of San Diego and the San Diego History Center will bring together San Diegans to commemorate this tremendous milestone for San Diego and the entire region from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16 at Junípero Serra Museum – Presidio Park.
The San Diego we know today began on July 16, 1769, with the establishment of the first permanent European settlement, and this year the city and regional partners are commemorating this significant anniversary. The event will feature live cultural performances, food, refreshments and a formal speaking program culminating in the historic raising of a new Kumeyaay Nation flag alongside the American, Mexican and Spanish flags.
State and local officials, business and civic leaders and Kumeyaay representatives will be in attendance. Additionally, San Diego will welcome consular representatives from Spain and Panama, delegations from San Diego’s International Sister Cities in Taichung City, Taiwan, and Tijuana, Mexico, as well as representatives from the Kumeyaay Nation in Baja California.
The San Diego History Center, in partnership with the San Diego River Conservancy and State Coastal Conservancy, will dedicate new exhibits within the Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park that tell the history of the region around the role of its namesake river and those who have relied upon its life-giving source since time immemorial. This new exhibition would not be possible without the contributions of historians and subject matter experts, including the Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy. The exhibit will officially open to the public on Friday.
This is one of three signature events organized during 2019 for the anniversary by the San Diego 250 committee. The volunteer committee was formed with the goal of creating historic and educational opportunities to reflect on the City’s history and leave behind a meaningful legacy for the future.
The event is free and open to the public. More information on San Diego 250 can be found at SanDiego250.com. TRAFFIC ADVISORY:
This event is expected to draw several hundred attendees therefore the Old Town area may be impacted. Presidio Drive will be closed to all vehicle traffic between Jackson Street and Cosoy Way from 3 to 8 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area and take alternate routes to get to their destination.