BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
When redistricting took effect in Sacramento just over a year ago, one of the first things Councilman Steve Cohn heard from Natomas-area residents was “bring back Celebrate Natomas.”
Today, marks the return of the popular community event after a one-year hiatus.
The 10th annual Celebrate Natomas festival will be held 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Natomas Community Park, 2921 Truxel Road.
Cohn is hosting the free, public event along with Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby, Councilman Rob Fong, County Supervisor Phil Serna, and State Assemblymen Richard Pan and Roger Dickinson. Several local businesses, including THE NATOMAS BUZZ are co-sponsoring the event.
The theme today: Many neighbors, many interests – ONE Natomas.
“As the name implies (the event) celebrates all of Natomas,” Cohn said in the days leading up to the festival. “This is an opportunity to celebrate the positives, in particular what a great community Natomas is.”
More than 130 community groups and vendors will be on hand at today’s event, plus seven food vendors. Thousands of area residents are expected to attend, according to a recorded telephone message to neighborhood homes from Serna.
Entertainment will include music by Hero’s Last Mission and the Groove Thang Band along with several youth groups including the Natomas High School Nighthawks drumline band.
More art is also being incorporated into the event.
Celebrate Natomas started in 2002 when then-councilman Ray Tretheway wanted to showcase everything Natomas had to offer. The community-based event started small and over time grew to a celebration of over 10,000 people, 300 booths and 40 performances.
“It really had become a tradition,” said Cohn. “Not an old tradition, but a growing tradition.”
The event was not staged in 2011 due to financial constraints faced by Ashby’s office. But efforts to revive the event took shape under Cohn shortly after redistricting in October 2011 with the guidance of a volunteer steering committee.
“Natomas is a great place to live, work and throw a party,” said Ashby. “We have so much to celebrate in our corner of the world and it’s fun to come together as often as possible. I’m excited about the addition of the art showcase and the involvement of so many regional partners… All in all it should be a terrific day for Natomas!”
Come visit THE NATOMAS BUZZ booth today at Celebrate Natomas for a free gift!
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