Celebrate Lakewood's 50th Anniversary

Visit the 20^th Century Emporium at the Lakewood Heritage Center, 801 S. Yarrow St., to find all of your 50^th anniversary items.

The museum store has the following items available for sale:

• Stainless steel water bottle, $13.50
• Campfire mug, $12.50
• Shot glass, $7
• Magnets, $5.50
• Collectible ornament, $15.99

Whether you’re a history buff, trivia master or art exhibit aficionado, there are opportunities for everyone to join Lakewood’s 50^th Anniversary celebration! We’re using both traditional and online ways for residents to participate in Lakewood’s 50^th Anniversary to make sure anyone and everyone is included.

1. Go online

• Participate in the digital time capsule: Help make history by telling future residents and leaders what’s important with an entry to the digital time capsule for 2069.
• Take part in weekly trivia questions about Lakewood.
• Receive a prize by completing the historical scavenger hunt.
• Read about Lakewood’s incorporation back in 1969.
• Watch videos covering the city’s history.
• Learn about the “50 Objects for Lakewood's 50th Anniversary” project, making the city’s museum items available for viewing online.

2. Attend events and in-person activities

• Be on the lookout for surprise pop-up parties around Lakewood with cake and giveaways.
• Visit the Lakewood Heritage Center at 801 S. Yarrow St. every month for a new special exhibit about Lakewood’s incorporation in 1969. Participate in hands-on farming activities, see photos of favorite 1970s restaurants and listen to audio histories of former Lakewood mayors.
• Check out “Three Views: Contemporary Work by Two Generations of Lakewood Artists Charles Parson, Collin Parson and Devon Parson,” a Lakewood family kicking off the 50^th anniversary art exhibition series.
• Snag giveaways at your favorite annual city events like Cider Days, Rockin’ Block Party, Earth Day, Lakewood Lights, Big Boom Bash and more.

3. Get social

• Join the celebration on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #Lakewood50.
• See what’s trending, keep an eye out for contests and show us how you’re celebrating by uploading a photo or video using the celebration hashtag on your social media.

And there’s no need to wait – there’s plenty of celebration to do now!

Oct. 29

Q: Who was the first mayor of Lakewood?

A: James Jeff "Jim" Richey.

Nov. 5:

Q: How many patrol agents did the Lakewood Police Department have when it was first established in 1970?

A: 30.

Nov. 12

Q: How many square miles was Lakewood after incorporation in 1969?

A: 26.

Nov. 19

Q: How many large plow trucks does Street Maintenance operate during any given snow storm?

A: 28.

Nov. 26

Q: What did the Belmar area replace before becoming Belmar?

A: The Villa Italia Mall.

As we celebrate 50 years of Lakewood, we can’t help but reflect on our city’s past anniversary celebrations, and the last one for Lakewood’s 40^th anniversary was celebrated by picking Lakewood’s official song, tree and flower.

The city launched a contest asking those who lived, worked, attended school or owned a business in Lakewood to submit nominations for an official song, tree and flower for the city. Song nominations had to create original music and lyrics, and flowers and trees had to be sustainable in our climate, drought tolerant, and be readily available for purchase. A jury of a City Council member, residents and city staff chose the winning nominations.

The city’s elevation put the winning song on top while plants native to the West and already thriving in locations throughout Lakewood won as official tree and flower..

Official song

The city’s official song is “Lakewood, More Than a Mile High,” an original composition with lyrics. Tim Hoffman wrote and composed the song, which the judges noted is a catchy, toe-tapping tune with an easy-to-follow melody. It is a song that could be taught to elementary students, and it was professionally done. Download the sheet music at Lakewood.org/50, and make sure to use #Lakewood50 when performing it for your friends so we can share it.

Official tree

The city’s official tree is Celtis occidentalis, known both as the common hackberry and the Western hackberry. The jury noted that the hackberry is a hardwood, does well in drought and grows slowly, allowing it to better handle snow loads. It also is low maintenance, native to parts of the West, leafs out late in the spring helping it withstand spring snowstorms, and is a four-season tree providing a lacy, intricate visual even during the winter.

Official flower

The city’s official flower is Salvia pachyphylla, known as Mojave sage. The jury selected this nomination because it is native to the West, has two-color blooms, requires no watering or fertilizing once established, is long-lived and a humming bird magnet.

The contest created a unique way to celebrate Lakewood’s 40^th anniversary, and the official selections give residents items they can call Lakewood’s to this day.

For Lakewood’s 50^th Anniversary celebration, we’re bringing the party to you! Beginning in January 2019, we will be throwing Pop-up Parties in the community to surprise and dazzle residents when they least expect it.

You never know where we will pop up. It could be at the Bear Creek Lake Park swim beach, on stage at the Lakewood Cultural Center, or maybe even in your office. Just be ready for a quick 20-minute celebration – anywhere!

Sounds like a good time, right? We hope so! Keep an eye out for these unexpected, whimsical, and offbeat parties, and don’t forget to share photos and videos on your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #Lakewood50.

Planning for Lakewood's 50th Anniversary began during the spring of 2015, when the Lakewood Advisory Commission made recommendations to City Council about this upcoming milestone. The Lakewood Advisory Commission consists of residents with a mission to support a vibrant and inclusive community by conducting research and providing recommendations on local issues to City Council.

The commission recommended encouraging community groups to get involved including schools and businesses; publishing a book or calendar with historic photos; creating banners; installing historical signs/markers in parks that communicate the history and origin of the site; and more. Based on these recommendations, City Council allocated funding for a yearlong community celebration. The following activities are what residents can look forward to in 2019:

• Online engagement opportunities including weekly Lakewood Trivia, scavenger hunts, and more!
• Pop-up Parties
• 50th anniversary giveaways
• Social media celebration using #Lakewood50
• 50^th themed performances at the Lakewood Cultural Center
• The opening of a new permanent Lakewood history exhibit at Lakewood Heritage Center
• New signs in selected city parks to include historical information
• 50^th related themes and giveaways at your favorite annual city events, like Cider Days, Rockin’ Block Party, Lakewood Lights and Big Boom Bash.
• A new public art installation in Addenbrooke Park
• The release of a book commemorating Lakewood’s 50^th Anniversary available for purchase
• History video

Now that you know a little more about why we are celebrating Lakewood's 50th Anniversary and what activities you can look forward to, we hope you'll join the fun.