5:04pm on October 17th, 1989 was a minute that would have more impact on Downtown Santa Cruz than any other minute in its history. After twenty years of rebuilding from the Loma Prieta Earthquake, the Downtown Association is taking this month to commemorate the 20thanniversary and celebrate our Downtown with a series of events, installations and special projects, looking back and moving forward with 20/20 Vision.

20th Aniversary Earthquake Commemoration

Mayor Cynthia Mathews, Former Mayor Mardi Wormhoudt and numerous invited guests will mark the anniversary of his extraordinary moment with a special community event in front of the Downtown Post Office. The ceremony begins at 4:30pm on October 17th.

Downtown Gala - October 17th

Advance Tickets Available here
Join us for what will undoubtedly be the party of the season on October 17th, atop the E.C. Rittenhouse Building overlooking all of Downtown. Enjoy appitizers from some of Downtowns' finest restaurants, a Champagne Toast, a very special Awards Presentation, silent auction and featuring the music of Don McCaslin and Warmth plus DJ Sparkle and more. Doors open at 6:30pm Tickets are $30 in advance. Available here. Business Attire.

Historic Photo Installation

Step back in time to the Pre-Quake Pacific Garden Mall all month with a Photographic installation. Storefronts throughout Downtown will be exhibiting photography from the same location 20 years ago. The exhibit opens October 2nd for First Friday and will be on display through the month of October. Opens First Friday, October 2nd.

Downtown Past, Present and Future
Don't miss this free three-part lecture series
October 14th, 15th and 16th at the Museum of Art and History

This series is Free but has limited seating. Reserve your ticket now.

Historian Sandy Lydon

October 14th, 5:30 - Museum of Art and History
The city of Santa Cruz was born as a response to the massive flood of 1862, and since then has been beset (and befuddled) by a never-ending parade of calamaties. In a slide-illustrated presentation, Sandy Lydon will review the lamentable litany of catastrophies -- Floods! Fires! Earthquakes! Droughts! Tsunami! - and put the Loma Prieta Earthquake in its proper place. We will attempt to answer the obvious question surrounding it all -- What the hell is Santa Cruz trying to prove? Why didn't they just give up? (Reservations strongly suggested)

Sandy Lydon is Historian Emeritus at Cabrillo College where he has taught since 1968. He grew up in Hollister, California, where he learned to ignore earthquakes smaller than magnitude 5.0. An award-winning author and teacher, he lives in Aptos, 1.8 miles from the epicenter of the Loma Prieta earthquake.

Are you Ready for an Emergency?

October 15th, 5:30pm - Museum of Art and History
Learn about the latest emergency plans for your area, how local agencies will respond and why YOU need to be prepared.
This forum is for all businesses, residents, and employees to gain invaluable information to prepare for ANY disaster.
Presentations by:
• Moderator Councilmember Lynn Robinson
Santa Cruz Police Department
Santa Cruz Fire Department
Santa Cruz Public Works Department
PG&E
Red Cross of Santa Cruz County
This event is hosted by The City of Santa Cruz, The Downtown Association and Santa Cruz Neighbors.

Now What?

October 16th, 5:30pm - Museum of Art and History
In the months after the Loma Prietta Earthquake, a private/public partnership came together to form, what became, Vison Santa Cruz. That group engaged in tireless meetings, public furums, guest experts and many other activities to defign the vision for Downtown at this very crucial time. What came of that effort was the Downtown Recovery Plan, the document which has informed the rebuilding of Downtown over the last two decades.
Now a panel of local visionaries will ignite a conversation about the next two decades of Downtown.
Moderated by Downtown Association Executive Director, Chip, presented by the Downtown Association
Reserve your free ticket now. Limited Seating

Museum of Art and History - 705 Front Street