The Seal Beach Founders Day Committee celebrated the city’s 98th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 6 with a “Surf, Sand and Song” themed Concert by the Sea in honor of Rich Harbour of Harbour Surfboards.
The event drew about 200 guests and participants to Eisenhower Park at the foot of the Seal Beach pier.
“The day was hot, but because of the gentle breeze and the 50 chairs we had out with canopies over them everyone was comfortable,” said Libby Appelgate, a Founders Day committee member and spokesperson. Amid the music and song, Harbour, the quintessential local boy done good, said he was moved by the attention.
“I was taken aback by the energy that was put into today’s ceremony,” said Harbour, a pioneer and icon of the surfboard industry, whose Harbour Surfboards on Main Street remains the world’s oldest surfboard manufacturing shop at the same location and a driving force within the surfing industry for more than 50 years. “The music from Los Alamitos High School, Oak Middle School and Hank Barto Jazz Band was terrific. And to think that my shop and I were the subject of recognition has me and my family honored beyond any words I have in my vault.”
Like neighboring cities to the south in Orange County, Seal Beach was one of the locations where the sport of surfing and its lifestyle took root in California. Harbour recalled how, like many things when they are new to a culture, surfing did not always draw a warm reception.
“It has gone from the darkest days in the ’60s when my customers were chased from the water by police, to today when a 70 year old surfer who runs a surfboard making shop on Main Street is recognized for his craftsmanship and longevity in business. I hope others will enjoy seeking their passion and not their wallet as I have. Life has been good to me and today was one of the finer days.”
Harbour was recently inducted into the International Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame and the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame with a star on the sidewalk.
Entertainment also included song and dance troupes like the Show Stoppers and Showmen choirs and the Los Alamitos High Marching Band and Jazz Band 1. Meanwhile, the Seal Beach Lions and Leos cooked and served lunch.
The Founders Day Committee has been celebrating the city’s anniversaries on and off since Seal Beach’s 75th birthday. That event drew thousands to the city from all over Orange County and the country.
In two years the city will celebrate it’s centennial or 100th anniversary.
The committee’s celebration of Seal Beach 98th anniversary will continue with a slideshow of rare historical photos of Seal Beach landmarks, people, and events from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27 at the Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Dr. in Seal Beach.
There is no charge for admission and there will be complimentary refreshments and snacks.
According to the committee, two exciting projects will also be announced for the Seal Beach centennial year celebration in 2015.
