Description
The 1949 centennial celebration of the California Constitutional Convention in Monterey went on for eight days. It was part
of a state-wide celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Californiaʼs first constitutional convention held at Colton
Hall in 1849. Governor Earl Warren, Lt. Governor Goodwin Knight, and other public officials attended. Entertainers such as
Ginger Rogers, Jack Benny, Leo Carillo, Duncan Rinaldo, and the opera singer Florence Quartararo made public appearances and
performed. The celebration included historical pageants and dress, Spanish/Mexican dancing, parades, organ recitals, theatrical
performances, band concerts, a horse show and livestock exhibits at the Fairgrounds, adobe tours, the annual Merienda, lectures
on the history of Monterey, and a Grand Centennial Ball at the Naval Postgraduate (Line) School. A centennial village was
recreated at the Monterey Peninsula College football stadium, where many of the events took place.