Campus & community, Campus news, Events at Berkeley

You're invited! Campanile birthday party this Saturday

By Gretchen Kell

tower
UC Berkeley’s Campanile has been 100 years old since the start of 2015, so isn’t it about time to throw the tower a birthday party?

At 11 a.m. this Saturday, as part of Homecoming , the celebration will begin on the Campanile esplanade. The campus community is invited to come and make Campanile party hats (no artistic talent required), get a treat at the cupcake booths, hear a proclamation from the City of Berkeley mayor’s office and sing “Happy Birthday” to the tower at noon. The party is  a convenient stopping point on the way up the hill to Memorial Stadium, where the Cal/Washington State football game starts at 1 p.m.

People heading to the game can watch for a halftime show in which the Cal marching band will form a “100” on the field as part of the Campanile festivities, and the Rally Committee will do a card stunt also in honor of the centennial.

The Campanile is already thanking its friends for the love. This Saturday, and every first Saturday of October for the next 100 years and beyond, elevator rides to the observation deck — 200 feet above ground with outstanding views of the Bay Area and of the 61-bell grand carillon — are FREE.

Before or after the party, there will be time to learn more about the Campanile’s history at a Bancroft Library exhibit, “Berkeley’s Ivory Tower: The Campanile at 100.” More information is posted in the  tower timeline on the Campanile 100 website .