New Chinatown Celebration

It's not everyday that an Angeleno publicly discloses a 70th birthday.

But Chinatown is no ordinary Angeleno. First, it's a place--one of our oldest neighborhoods-- rather than a person. And the neighborhood is more than a neighborhood: it's a legend, landmark and portal of possibility all rolled into one. L.A. Chinatown Business Improvement District with cooperation from the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, the Chinese American Museum, the L.A. Chinatown Corporation, and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles plan to highlight all of the area's dimensions on Saturday, June 28th with a free festival celebrating the birth of the "New Chinatown."

City leaders will be on hand to re-dedicate of one of area's original plaques—recently discovered buried in storage—and an original replica on which is inscribed the words “Dedicated to the Chinese Pioneers Who Participated in the Constructive History of California.” This plaque was originally dedicated by California Governor Frank Merriam on June 25, 1938.

The fun starts on the Central Plaza from 7 to 11 p.m. with 1940’s style big band music and dancing, cocktails from the era, a video montage of the many movies shot in Chinatown, and a narrated video presentation of historic photos. Judges will be on hand to award "a "Best Costume Contest" for those who choose to come in 1930’s or 1940’s attire. Other entertainment will feature Chines martial artists, lion dancers, and book-signings and readings by authors whose books celebrate Chinatown history.

h/t to Blogdowntown.com for the reminder