Some birthdays pass without notice, like turning 23 or 37. Other birthdays are milestones. 2010 will prove to be the most unforgettable birthday for Taft yet as our fair city reaches triple digits. Joining the illustrious ranks of people such as George Burns, Bob Hope and the Queen Mother, Taft will be turning 100 years old.
Around the turn of the 20th century, three thousand miles to the west of the turmoil caused by the Civil War, a small town called Moron was gaining popularity as another gold rush came to California - a black gold rush. The drilling camp and train station that pumped the land for oil, a fast growing commodity, was originally called Siding Number Two then renamed Moro and eventually dubbed Moron to avoid confusion with Morro Bay. By 1910, tired of being mocked by outsiders for the town's rather degrading name, the town's people decided to rename their city in honor of the rotund Commander in Chief at the time - William Howard Taft. Over the years, our city and the surrounding areas have evolved and established a strong and major oil producing industry worthy of more than just a pat on the back.
As Taft reaches its hundredth year of incorporation, it brings a most opportune time for celebration. The Chamber of Commerce, as well as the community, will be pulling out all of the stops, not just for Oildorado in October but for the entire year. Over the course of the next 12 months, during annual and new events all over town will be birthday cake and singing the traditional Happy Birthday tune to our beloved city, starting with The Fort's Installation Dinner this month.
While every month each year in Taft holds various entertaining and exciting occasions, this year will be the mother of them all. In February, WSRPD will hold its Father/Daughter Dance and the Rotary will host its Ladies Night. March promises St. Patrick's Day fun with the Fort's annual dinner as well as the premier of the WSRPD's community theater production. April will be jammed full of things to do, from the Rotary's Health and Peddlers Fair to various barbeques and fundraisers as well as Taft High's Hall of Fame event. May, like April, is filled with a myriad of events to attend and participate in like the second annual Relay for Life, The Fort's Wine Tasting, and the Oil Museum's Pioneer Days. June holds the return of the Rails to Trails Car Show and in July, for our nation's birthday, things may be spiced up as plans for the annual fireworks to be shot off from the high school football field are in the works. August and September slow down in big events around town as everyone will be gearing up for the biggest party of the year in October - Oildorado. So, who said there wasn't anything to do in Taft?
This year's quinquennial party will be the biggest and grandest of any Oildorado past. With plans for an Oildorado Midway at Rails to Trails, an art show, another car show, as well as traditional events getting amped up, like the Whiskerino, Grand Parade and Queens Contest, this entire year will be a fitting homage and celebration for Taft and promises to be an unforgettable time for all natives and residents of the Westside.
If there is an event that you or your business would like to add to the Birthday Celebration Calendar, contact the Taft Chamber at 765-2165.