Fremont celebrates its 70th birthday in a night of community and cheer

By Staff Writers Finn McCarthy & Saesha Prabhakar

On the grassy pavilion in front of the Downtown Event Center & Plaza, Fremont City Manager Karena Shackelford stepped to the microphone to begin the 70th anniversary celebration of Fremont. Featuring speeches by local politicians and various interactive booths, the event celebrated seven decades of innovation, community, and progress. “[Fremont] has the most manufacturing in the state of California, but the best product that Fremont makes is the people,” former Fremont Mayor Lily Mei said.

The three-hour celebration began on January 23 at 5 p.m. Inside the event center, attendees were invited to explore a small photobooth as well as a photographic timeline of Fremont throughout the years. Outside, local businesses and organizations set up displays with information about their role in Fremont’s history. Representatives of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum came to share Niles’ role as the first Hollywood, while other organizers came in Victorian-era clothing to represent the Patterson house. Bay Area group The Idea Band performed beloved, classic songs for families gathered on the field, serenading Fremont residents into the night. “What I love about Fremont is— well, it’s one of the happiest cities in the country, right?” Fremont resident Juan Gutierrez said.