What's Happening in San Diego - Kearny Mesa, CA…

Presidio Park was the site of a party recently, as hundreds of people joined in a celebration of San Diego's 250th anniversary.

The celebration waspart of an initiative called ‘San Diego 250’ which encourages the creation of educational and historical opportunities to think about the city's past.

This party took place on July 16, which was the date in 1769 when Father Junipero Serra, and others in the Gaspar de Portola expedition, built the first mission in what was then Alta (Upper) California. The mission was a hut made of brushwood, located near the presidio (the Spanish word for fortress) that had already been founded. The first mass ever celebrated in San Diego took place here.

The arrival of the Spanish meant changes in the lives of the native people who lived in the area, particularly the Kumeyaay. Part of the recent gathering included the addition and dedication of a Kumeyaay flag in the park, in recognition of the contributions of the Kumeyaay Nation to San Diego and California. Banner printing is often used to create decorations for occasions like this.

Officials attending the ceremony included the mayor of San Diego; the mayor of Tijuana, Mexico, which is less than 20 miles from San Diego; the Vice Consul of Spain, who came from Los Angeles for the event; and representatives from the San Diego History Center, which operates the Serra Museum; as well as Kumeyaay Nation members.