Newark Days facts for kids
Newark Days is a super fun yearly party in Newark, California! It happens every September to celebrate when the city of Newark officially became a city on September 22, 1955. This big event usually lasts for four days, from Thursday to Sunday, in the middle or end of September.
It all takes place around the Newark Community Park and Community Center. The nearby MacGregor School Grounds are also part of the fun. You can enjoy exciting carnival rides, yummy food, and cool game booths. There are also awesome stage shows to watch. On Saturday morning, there's even a race and a parade along "the Newark Mile." More than 100,000 people come to Newark Days every year!
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A Look Back: The History of Newark Days
Newark Days started a long time ago. Members of the Newark Chamber of Commerce first planned the celebration. Later, they handed the event over to the Jaycees, another community group. In the 1960s, a group called "Newark Birthday Celebration" took over. However, the event didn't happen for a few years in the late 1960s.
Bringing the Celebration Back
In 1972, a person named Shirley Sisk decided to bring the celebration back. She called a meeting to see if enough people wanted to help plan an event for that September. Many people were interested! That's when "Newark Days Celebration" was officially formed.
The Newark Rotary Club helped by bringing in a carnival. The committee also set up food booths and games at the Pavilion. The whole weekend was a huge success! Because it was so popular, a nonprofit group was created to make sure it happened every year. Now, a team of 30 volunteers works all year long to plan the event. More than 200 volunteers also help out during the celebration itself.
Celebrating 50 Years!
In 2005, Newark Days celebrated a very special milestone: Newark's 50th anniversary! The celebration had a fun 1950s theme. It even brought back Arknew, a kangaroo who used to be Newark's old town mascot.
Fun Themes Through the Years
Every year, the Newark Days Celebration has a different and exciting theme!
- 1988 Every Day's a Holiday
- 1989 People, Pride & Progress
- 1990 The Magic of Newark
- 1991 Newark Then & Now
- 1992 Where Fairy Tales Come True
- 1993 Railroad Days
- 1994 The Best of the West
- 1995 Remembering When
- 1996 There's No Place Like Home
- 1997 It's a Small World
- 1998 Under the Big Top
- 2000 The Sounds of Music
- 2001 Newarks of the World
- 2002 Celebrate America
- 2003 Every Day's a Holiday
- 2004 Exploring the West
- 2005 50 Golden Years
- 2006 It's all Here
- 2007 Cirque de Newark
- 2008 Celebrate America
- 2009 Celebrating the Arts
- 2010 Color the World
- 2011 Fantasy Comes Alive
- 2012 Country Jamboree
- 2013 All That Jazz
- 2015 Set Sail for Newark
- 2016 Voyage to the Stars
- 2017 A Jungle Adventure
- 2018 It's a Wizard's World
