City to Toast 138th Birthday with Tinseltown Flair at Pasadena Museum of History

Pasadena is preparing for a fun birthday bash with a touch of Hollywood glamour. The city will celebrate its 138th anniversary on June 9th with a free, family-friendly event titled “Silver Screen Extravaganza,” hosted by the Pasadena Museum of History.

The event, inspired by the museum’s upcoming exhibit “Lights, Camera, Action! Hollywood Magic in Pasadena,” will debut the exhibit during the celebration, encouraging attendees to dress as their favorite movie characters.

“Our ‘Happy Birthday, Pasadena!’ Silver Screen Extravaganza event this Sunday is a Hollywood-themed celebration inspired by our upcoming exhibition,” said Daniel Nevarez, the Museum’s Education and Program Manager.

The afternoon will be filled with activities for all ages, including live music by Gypsy Jambo, classic silent film screenings, and movie-inspired craft activities like creating top hats and tiaras. Guests can also enjoy complimentary popcorn, birthday cake, and cooling off with water features.

The centerpiece of the event will be the “Lights, Camera, Action! Hollywood Magic in Pasadena” exhibition, which delves into the city’s long and storied relationship with the film industry. Visitors can also get a sneak peek at the artwork for the upcoming Pasadena Chalk Art Festival and explore interactive stations hosted by various event partners.

“Between noon and 4 p.m., visitors can enjoy a variety of activities on the museum’s campus,” Nevarez added. “We’ll have arts and crafts, live music, costume characters, and over a dozen community partners participating this year.”

The festivities will culminate with an official cake cutting ceremony by Mayor Victor M. Gordo at 2 p.m. 

There will also be free movie ticket drawings throughout the afternoon, specifically for visitors who come in costume.

The Silver Screen Extravaganza and the blockbuster exhibition are highlights of PMH’s centennial year celebrations, as the museum itself was founded in 1924.

“This free event is a wonderful opportunity to bring the Pasadena community together to celebrate our city,” Nevarez concluded.

The “Lights, Camera, Action! Hollywood Magic in Pasadena” exhibition will also explore the history of filming on the museum’s grounds, the Fényes Estate. Notably, legendary director D.W. Griffith featured the estate in his 1912 silent film, “The Queen’s Necklace.” The exhibit will showcase photographs, sketches, and diary entries from Eva Fényes related to the filming of Douglas Fairbanks on her property.

The Pasadena Museum of History is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting materials that document the rich and varied history of Pasadena and the West San Gabriel Valley. The museum strives to present its public offerings with a focus on inclusion and fostering a sense of community.

For more information, please visit the Pasadena Museum of History by clicking here.