Oregon Centennial facts for kids
The Oregon Centennial was a big celebration for the state of Oregon. It marked 100 years since Oregon officially became a U.S. state. The actual anniversary was on February 14, 1959. But the party lasted all year long! Events and fun activities happened across the entire state. The main event was the Oregon Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair. This huge fair was held at the Expo Center in Portland's Kenton area. It ran from June 10 to September 17, 1959.
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The Big Celebration
The Oregon Centennial Exposition was a major highlight of the year. It was like a giant fair where people could learn about Oregon's past and future. The fair aimed to show off Oregon's achievements and what was coming next.
The Oregon Story Show
A very special part of the Exposition was a show called The Oregon Story. This amazing performance took place at the Exposition Arena. It featured more than 700 actors, along with the Hollywood Bowl Ballet. The Portland Symphonic Choir also performed. Meredith Willson wrote the music for the show. Vladimir Rosing was the director, making sure everything ran smoothly.
Fun and Entertainment
The fair had many famous guests and exciting acts. Visitors could see popular stars like Roy Rogers & Dale Evans. Other big names included Lawrence Welk and Harry Belafonte. Even Art Linkletter's House Party was broadcast live from the fair on CBS. The main idea of the Exposition was "Frontier of the Future." This meant looking forward to what Oregon could become.
Other Centennial Events
Besides the main fair, many other events celebrated Oregon's 100th birthday. There was a special play and a musical show. Parades marched through towns across the state. Famous artist Carl Morris created special artworks for the celebration. Even a unique railroad line was set up. It used two trains originally built for the Portland Zoo Railway. This railway is now known as the Washington Park and Zoo Railway.
Community Spirit
Communities all over Oregon joined in the celebration. They created special monuments to mark the anniversary. One example is a totem pole placed at the Oregon Zoo. Another famous monument is a huge statue of Paul Bunyan in the Kenton neighborhood.
Raising Money for Fun
Many towns needed money to pay for their celebration plans. One way they raised funds was by selling special Oregon Centennial Tokens. These tokens became popular souvenirs. Many private companies also made and sold items to celebrate the Centennial.
Looking Back
The Oregon Centennial was a memorable event for the state. It brought people together to celebrate Oregon's history and future. Years later, in 2009, Oregon celebrated its 150th anniversary. This event was called the Oregon Sesquicentennial, or "Oregon 150."
