Rancho Palos Verdes Celebrates 50th Anniversary

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — The City of Rancho Palos Verdes began a year-long celebration over the weekend for its 50th anniversary in 2023.

Over the course of the year the city plans to hold monthly events to bring the community together and celebrate the history of the largest city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The first event occurred on Sept. 10 when the city renamed the Civic center after founder Ken Dyda in recognition of his many years of civic service.

The monthly events will lead up to 50th anniversary of the date the city was founded on Sept. 7, 1973. Events will include:

Harvest Festival - Oct. 22

Visitors of the festival can enjoy live music, arts and crafts, inflatables, face painting and caricatures and dessert and food vendors to celebrate the fall season in Rancho Palos Verdes.

The festival will be from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

Historic Talk and Walk with RPVtv - November

Each Saturday in the month of November residents will have the opportunity to walk through the city's landmarks and learn more about the history of Rancho Palos Verdes.

The series will visit the Nike missile silos, Wayfarer's Chappel and the Point Vicente Lighthouse and will be filmed and available to watch online.

The videos will be released on Nov. 2, 11, 16 and 23.

Holiday Programming - December

There will be multiple events throughout the month over December including the second annual tree lighting ceremony, Skating in the Park at the Civic Center and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Parade of Lights.

Additional details about festivities in December will be available soon, according to the City's 50th-anniversary website.

Historical Scavenger Hunt - January

Rancho Palos Verdes will host a city-wide scavenger hunt to encourage residents to learn more about the city's history. Participants can win prizes by visiting historically significant buildings and locations.

Additional details about the scavenger hunt will be available soon, according to the City's 50th-anniversary website.

History of RPV Art Contest - February

Residents of all ages can submit artwork of a historical place or event in Rancho Palos Verdes. Winners will have their artwork presented to the City Council, featured on the city's 50th-anniversary webpage and commemorative souvenirs.

Additional details about the art contest will be available soon, according to the City's 50th-anniversary website.

Celebrate the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve - March

The city and the Palos Verdes Peninsula land Conservancy will host a nature walk and reception at Del Cerro Park.

The date and time of the event are yet to be released but will be made available on the 50th-anniversary website as the date gets closer.

Whale of a Day - April 15, 2023

The 38th annual Whale of a Day celebration will teach participants about the migration of the Pacific gray whale from the Arctic seas to Baja California. The event will include activities for the whole family including children's games, tours of the Interpretive Center's museum, live music, a silent auction and food trucks, beer and wine.

The free celebration will be on April 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. For more information visit the event's website.

Picnic at the Fourth City Tree Grove - May

Rancho Palos Verdes will host a picnic at the Fourth City Tree Grove, which was planted in 1977 at Ryan park to honor Gordon Curtis, Dorothy LeConte and Fred Hesse Jr. for their contributions to the city's incorporation.

The date and time of the event are yet to be released but will be made available on the 50th-anniversary website as the date gets closer.

Concerts in the Parks - June

The city's annual Concerts in the Park series gives families the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of fun with live music.

Additional details about next summer's concerts will be available soon, according to the City's 50th-anniversary website.

Fourth of July Celebration - July

The annual Fourth of July event hosted by the city of Rancho Palos Verdes returns again during the summer. Visitors can enjoy food trucks, music and children's activities as well as a special surprise that the city has planned.

The time and location of the event are yet to be released but will be made available on the 50th-anniversary website as the date gets closer.

Sister City Celebration - Aug 5, 2023

Rancho Palos Verdes established a sister city relationship with Sakura City, Japan on Aug. 4, 2020. The cities will celebrate their intercultural partnership on Aug. 5.

The time and location of the event are yet to be released but will be made available on the 50th-anniversary website as the date gets closer.

50th Anniversary Dinner Banquet - Sept. 9, 2023

To finish off the year-long celebration, Rancho Palos Verdes will host a dinner banquet for the community at Terranea Resort.

Additional details about the banquet will be will be made available on the 50th-anniversary website as the date gets closer.

For more information about the events and how to volunteer visit Rancho Palos Verdes' 50th-anniversary celebration website.