The Mall Kicks Off Columbia’s 50th Birthday Celebration
Ceremony and Free Entertainment Launch Festivities
The Mall in Columbia will kick-off Columbia’s six-month 50th Birthday celebration with fanfare on Sunday, March 19. Opening ceremonies start at 11am in the Outdoor Plaza in front of Maggiano’s and Seasons 52 restaurants. Mall-wide entertainment starts at 11:30am and continues until 4pm. The public is invited to attend.
The opening ceremony features brief remarks by elected officials and Columbia 50th Birthday Celebration organizers. Representatives of each of Columbia’s 10 villages will also participate in the pageantry celebrating this milestone anniversary for the community. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be Barb Nicklas, Senior General Manager of The Mall.
“The Mall in Columbia is honored to be the location for the launch of Columbia’s 50th birthday celebration and the six months of planned activities,” Nicklas said. “This event promises to be a special day for families packed with fun for everyone!”
Entertainment for all ages inside The Mall will include a kids’ rock band, Milkshake; and Sons of Pirates, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Other performers include Teelin Irish Dance Company, Kalinka Dance Ensemble, Lee Hee Kyung Korean Dance, Cultural Plenera, Muvva Kuchipudi and Howard County Chinese School. They will entertain on the Main Stage in the Lord & Taylor Court.
Four other areas of entertainment inside The Mall will feature Fritere African Dance Company, Tres Amigos, Arte Flamenco, Mianaja Oriental Dance, Latin Zone Entertainment, Konark Dance School, Lake Elkhorn Middle School, Acoustic Wheelhouse, Brown Smith Vibrations, U.S. Jow Ga Martial Arts, and Brianna & Allison Gonzales.
Elsewhere in the Mall, platform modeling, balloon twisters, face painters, magicians and strolling entertainers will be showcased. In-store events and 50th Birthday Specials will be featured, including a custom Columbia 50th Birthday charm at Pandora. Other Columbia 50 Birthday merchandise will also be on sale at one of The Mall’s carts.
Columbia opened on June 21, 1967, and has celebrated its birthday every year since. “Appreciating the Past. Imagining the Future” is the theme of the 27-week 50thbirthday celebration. Community-wide events will be held weekly through Sept. 23.
Major funding for the celebration events and activities has being provided by Benefactor Sponsors Columbia Association and Howard County Government, Platinum Sponsors The Howard Hughes Corporation, WR GRACE Foundation and The Mall in Columbia/General Growth Properties, Gold Sponsor The Rouse Company Foundation, Silver Sponsors The Horizon Foundation, Columbia Builders, Williamsburg Homes, Tina & Vic Broccolino and The Orchard Development Company.
Small Business Gold Sponsors include Apple Ford, Brasher Design, Environmental Systems Associates, First Potomac Realty Trust, Whole Foods, Padraic and Ellen Kennedy, Milton and Barbara Matthews, Jean Moon & Associates and Steve and Lee Sachs. Small Business Silver Sponsor is Miles and Stockbridge and Small Business Bronze Sponsor is The Chaney Fund for Hope. Other local businesses, groups and individuals are also supporting the celebration via financial donations, services and resources.
For updated information and calendar of events, visit columbiamd50.com.
