Falkirk Celebrates 30 Years with Historic Lawn Party

On Saturday, June 26 over 800 of Falkirk’s closest friends came by to celebrate the history that is Falkirk. "1888 - Falkirk's 30th Anniversary Victorian Lawn Party" was an exercise in gratitude for the City of San Rafael. This event was a community celebration, spotlighting the folks who saved Falkirk thirty years ago and featuring many of the organizations that have partnered with and supported Falkirk throughout the years. This was a volunteer driven event with over 40 volunteers, many in costume thanks to D' Lynne's Dancewear on 4th Street. The turn-of-the century event featured historic characters and displays, entertainment, poetry readings, flower arranging, carriage rides, period games and crafts, a children's area and more! During a ceremony midway through Saturday's event Vice Mayor Cyr Miller, dressed in full Victorian attire, presented official Certificates of Appreciation to several of the people who originally saved Falkirk in 1974. The ceremony began with the ringing of the bells at the Presbyterian Church across the street. The church and the bells are significant in Falkirk's history; the land for the church was donated by Ella Nichols Park who built Falkirk in 1888, and the bells were donated by Captain Robert Dollar who lived at Falkirk from 1906 until his death in 1932. Eloise Jonas, grandniece of Ella Nichols Park, came in a dress and parasol that belonged to her grandmother, Ella's sister. Curt and Rosa Maria Hayden, Kim Haney and Melville Dickson represented the Dollar family. And former mayor, Lawrence Mulrany bore witness to the City's acquisition of the house while he was on the City Council. One of the highlights of the event was the celebrity dunk tank. Celebrants got the chance to dunk parking enforcement officer Vicki Dennis and the Director of Community Development, Bob Brown. County Supervisor Susan Adams couldn't get her money out fast enough to try to dunk Bob Brown to the delight of all who witnessed it. Other highlights included a wonderful crew of pirates, the Sea Dogs, who caroused around the grounds singing songs and performing pirate skits as well as the magic of Tobias the Adequate (Matthew Legare). It was a magical day of Victoriana, with over 40 actors in costume singing songs, performing magic tricks, offering photo opportunities and picnicking on the lawn. There was even a Victorian Toy and Candy Shoppe courtesy of Cheshire and Co., as well as an historic hair-braiding booth by Vallejo Music Theater. The Mall at Northgate sponsored the Children's Stage lead by Little Productions' Barbara Davis and including Desert Dave's Exotic Reptiles and Storyteller David Ponkey among others. The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored the carriage rides, which were a big hit all day long. The emcee for the event was none-other than Marin County's local historian du jour, Lionel Ashcroft, acting as Andrew Carnegie. What a delight! Especially when he introduced actors Robert and Dianna Young portraying the historic figures of the house, Robert and Margaret Dollar. Marin Poetry Center, the longest tenants of the house, had a poetry booth and recited poetry from the main stage as well. And the event closed with a last minute addition and special treat: opera singer Geraldine Reicher sang two closing songs a cappella. The Cultural Affairs Service League, Falkirk's longstanding volunteer auxiliary group, ran the food and beverage booth which included deluxe box lunches donated by Falkirk's finest caterers, as well as watermelon, lemonade and pie slices sold after the pie contest was finished. The pie contest was a big hit and was judged by the Marin Independent Journal's Leslie Harlib and PJ Bremier as well as Upper Crust Pie's Chris Milne. Double Rainbow had the best seller that day: root beer floats. And the San Rafael Fire Association ran the barbecue and donated profits to Falkirk as well. This was a fine compliment to the antique fire carriages, fire truck and police vehicle that adorned the grounds. It was a lovely afternoon and a fitting tribute to this startling Victorian beauty, Falkirk Cultural Center. Special thanks to sponsors: D' Lynne's Dancewear, Double Rainbow Ice Cream, Mall at Northgate, Marin Independent Journal, North Bay Portables, Republic Electric, Safeway, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, United Markets, and all the wonderful caterers who donated box lunches to the event.