On Oct. 12, exactly 100 years following Kirkland's incorporation, the city culminated its year-long Centennial celebration with a no-holds-barred birthday party, complete with clear-sky fireworks and Marilyn Monroe lookalikes singing "Happy Birthday."
The Centennial committee, led by Mayor Mary Alyce Burleigh as chair and Kellie Jordan as vice-chair, also included Penny Sweet, Teddy Overleese, Bob Burke and Dan Krehbiel. City staffers Sheila Cloney and Tracy Burrows lent invaluable support. Thanks to double-digit months of dedicated planning, the city pulled off a magnificent celebration in multiple venues.
To begin with, the Kirkland Heritage Society, spearheaded by Bob Burke, displayed the history of Kirkland exhibit in the Senior Center. The Teen Union building hosted a music jam from 6-9 p.m. Penny Sweet wrote the script for the program held in the Kirkland Performance Center.
It was a true birthday party with the Centennial sponsors on stage as guests of honor. Clowns Penny Sweet, Teddy Overleese and Terri Fletcher, assisted by "real" clown Genii Blue, helped emcees and Larry Springer in welcoming Peter Kirk to the party (portrayed by Rob Mullin). Music was provided by the Juanita High School Jazz band, led by Bruce Gutgesell.
Entertainment was provided by local jump-rope team the Skiperiors, Joe the Magician and the Moss Bay Book Club. Joe performed great magic tricks, the book club sang Happy Birthday to Kirkland, all of them dressed like Marilyn Monroe.
After the balloon drop inside KPC, everyone went outside to enjoy birthday cake, baked by Cuizam, and cupcakes courtesy of Lake Washington Technical College.
The Moss Bay Book Club led Peter Kirk out to the stage where the band Ricochet Biscuit accompanied the book club, again in singing happy birthday to the crowd with Peter Kirk No. 2, Mike Metteer. The rain took a break as the band played on the outside stage for everyone to enjoy the fireworks on Lee Johnson field.
Kellie Jordan works at the Kirkland Downtown Association and is vice chair of the Centennial committee.[[In-content Ad]]
