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For Immediate Release
May 10, 2002
Who: Port of Oakland and all Portfest
2002 sponsors
What: Portfest 2002 - Port's 75th anniversary
Where: Jack London Square in Oakland
When: Saturday, May 18, 2002 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Why: To highlight how the Port of Oakland serves our region
and to celebrate community and the cultural diversity of the Bay Area.
OAKLAND, Calif (May 10, 2002) - Port of Oakland
presents Portfest 2002 Saturday, May 18, 2002 from 11:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. at Jack London Square. This is a very special year for
this event, as it is the Port's 75th Anniversary as well as the
City of Oakland's 150th Anniversary. Portfest will be a great day
of free fun for the whole family. This annual festival at the Oakland
waterfront draws some 25,000 people each year.
The entertainment will be non-stop with two
stages of performers throughout the day. Singer Lenny Williams,
Interfaith Gospel Choir, Bay Area Society Caravan of All Stars,
Emeryville Taiko, and Orquesta Candela will keep the rhythm going
at the main stage. Diva Flamenco (dancers), J-2 Imani (African Dancers)
and Creations (Reggae band) will highlight the Port of Protocal
Stage.
There will be a marvelous 75-year Port of Oakland
history exhibit as well as maritime and aviation exhibits that generate
interest among all ages. Kids will be able to operate the smallest
working crane. Displays include model boats and educational information
on how ships, trucks, trains and planes all come together for international
trade and transport at the Port of Oakland.
The Port's Aviation Division will host a spectacular
vintage airshow (The Port of Oakland oversees Oakland International
Airport). Aviation will also sponsor a spinning wheel giveaway,
including round-trip airline tickets to exciting destinations.
The Port's Commercial Real Estate Division (CRE)
is in the midst of transforming the waterfront with new development
plans that will enhance the vibrant Jack London Square District
and create a new neighborhood in the Oak to Ninth District. CRE
is featuring International Cooking Demonstrations highlighting some
of the great food served at Jack London Square restaurants. And
history buffs will enjoy a Jack London Square history walk.
Birds from Around the World. Desert Dave and
his Reptiles from Down Under, and Corovado will delight children
and adults alike. Community groups, the City of Oakland, International
food booths, arts and crafts and cooking demonstrations fill out
more of the Square's activities.
Kids will have a ball taking a free harbor boat
tour, watching the dragon boat races, and collecting autographs
of Portfest characters such as writer Jack London, aviators Amelia
Earhart and Bessie Coleman, or Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Elvis
(both connected to the Potomac yacht based in Jack London Square).
Children can let loose at the bounce house, rock climbing wall or
giant slide.
Community is a big part of Portfest. The Port
of Oakland and all the Portfest sponsors will donate more than $20,000
to worthwhile community organizations including Children's Hospital
Oakland-Project Life Breath, YMCA-First WAVE Program, Skyline High
School Youth Center, Spanish Speaking Citizen's Foundation, Oakland
Performing Arts Academy, and Oakland Releaf.
A number of community groups have been invited
to present at Portfest including: Lion/Leo Club, West Oakland Community
(two groups: West Oakland Neighbors & 7th Street/McClymonds
Initiative), HEROES, League of Women Voters Oakland, Votantes Unidos,
Unity Council, Hispanic Community Affairs Council, ART Esteem, CA
Transplant Donor Network, Family Builders by Adoption, 5th Avenue
Alliance, Grandparents as Second Parents', Davis Street Community
Center, and Rebuilding Together. And the City of Oakland will be
well represented as it continues to honor its 150 years of history.
"The Port of Oakland is delighted to invite
the public to join us as we celebrate our community at Portfest
2002," said Port of Oakland Director of Communications Harold
Jones. " The Port's 75th Anniversary makes this an extraordinary
year. We welcome everyone to the waterfront for a free day of multi-cultural
music, dance and educational fun."
Transportation Advisory: Leave the car at home.
Take BART and the free AC transit connections to Jack London Square.
From the Lake Merritt Station, you may board the Line 59 bus and
ride free to Jack London Square. From Downtown City Center/12th
Street, you may board any Line 72,73 or 58 bus and ride free to
Jack London Square. Free fare Zones operate on the above mentioned
bus lines from 9am-6pm. Portfest hotline: 510.627.1200 ( www.portofoakland.com). Contact:
Marilyn Sandifur
Media and Public Relations Manager
(510) 627-1193
msandifur@portoakland.comContact:
Midori Tabata
Communications Assistant
(510) 627-1187
mtabata@portoakland.com
1. Children's Hospital Oakland-Project Life Breath
2. YMCA-First WAVE Program
3. Skyline High School Youth Center
4. Spanish Speaking Citizen's Foundation
5. Oakland Performing Arts Academy
6. Oakland Releaf
HOK
Jack London Square Partners
San Francisco Bar Pilots
Signature Properties
AGC
Bechtel Corporation
Hensel Phelps Construction
Norcal Waste Solutions
Wendel Rosen Black & Dean
CA One
Davillier-Sloan, Inc.
Goldman Sachs
Pacific Bell
Waste Management
Centex Homes
Earth Tech
Neighbor to Neighbor:
1. Children's Hospital Oakland-Project Life Breath
2. YMCA-First WAVE Program
3. Skyline High School Youth Center
4. Spanish Speaking Citizen's Foundation
5. Oakland Performing Arts Academy
6. Oakland Releaf
7. Lion/Leo Club
8. West Oakland Community (two groups: West Oakland Neighbors &
7th Street/McClymonds Initiative)
9. HEROES
10. League of Women Voters Oakland
11. Votantes Unidos
12. Unity Council
13. Hispanic Community Affairs Council
14. ART Esteem
15. CA Transplant Donor Network
16. Family Builders by Adoption
17. 5th Avenue Alliance
18. Grandparents as Second Parents'
19. Davis Street Community Center
20. Rebuilding Together
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