Symphony on the Beach - Whiskeytown's 50th Anniversary

Symphony on the Beach Poster
Syphony on the Beach Poster

Adam Grosvenor

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
News Release Date: July 30, 2015

Contact: Jim Milestone, 530-242-3460

The National Park Service, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and the Friends of Whiskeytown invite everyone to join the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area at “Symphony on the Beach!”  The celebration will be held on August 22, 2015 beginning at 7 p.m. at Brandy Creek Beach. Refreshments will be available for purchase, including appetizers, cold beer and chilled wine. Bring your lawn chair and blanket and watch the Shasta Symphony perform under the park’s towering pines and cedars. Reflect on your favorite Whiskeytown memories as you watch hundreds of candle luminaries drift across Brandy Creek cove. There will also be an opportunity to write a letter that will be placed in the park’s time capsule to be opened on the 100th anniversary in 2065! The event is free to attend. Park entrance passes will not be required in the event area beginning at 6 p.m.

Schedule of Events

7:00 – 7:30 p.m. 

Dedication of the Stephen Mather plaque. This ceremony commemorates the first Director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather. This special and historic plaque will be dedicated 200 yards upstream of the beach along the Brandy Creek trail. Historian Dr. Bill Tweed will present a short description of Stephen Mather’s life and contribution to the establishment of the National Park Service. 

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

Last opportunity to write a letter for the “Children's Time Capsule” before it is sealed for the next 50 years. A table will be set up on Brandy Creek Beach for children and adults to write a letter to be placed inside the capsule. What would you like people to know about you and what Whiskeytown means to you 50 years from now when the park turns 100 years old in 2065? 

We encourage people to write letters at home and mail them before the event to: Jim Milestone, P.O. Box 188, Whiskeytown CA 96095.

7:30 p.m. 

Begin launching of the Candle Luminaries. Make a suggested $5 donation to the Friends of Whiskeytown and receive a special 50th Anniversary Candle Luminary!

7:45 p.m.

A Lighted Boat Parade will make its way to Brandy Creek cove for the concert. 

8:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Shasta Symphony begins their performance on the beach under the direction of conductor Dwayne Corbin. Visitors can sit on the beach and watch the luminaries drift across the water.

9:30 p.m. 

All luminaries are collected and extinguished. Event concludes.  

This will be the first time a symphony has played on the beaches of Whiskeytown and the first time a candle luminary display will be attempted. The event is a blend of beauty and art, wrapped in history and public service, in the grand tradition of the National Park Service Rangers! 

All contributions from the donations for luminaries will go directly to the Friends of Whiskeytown to support special projects that improve the visitor experience at Whiskeytown including the development of the High Route Trail, purchasing new kayaks for the park’s free Ranger Guided Kayak Program and supporting the park’s Artist- in-Residence program.

Over the past 50 years Whiskeytown National Recreation has not only become a destination for  lake-based recreation and backcountry adventures, but also as a place that conserves the scientific, natural, historic, and cultural values of a special national park site for the enjoyment and inspiration of present and future generations. Join us as we commemorate 50 years of quality recreation, conservation and preservation, and look forward to the next 50 years!  

WhiskeytownNational Recreation Area is turning 50 years old and to celebrate the North State's premier recreation area we are inviting you to join us for "Symphony on the Beach!" This free event is Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 7 p.m. at Brandy Creek Beach.

The event kicks off with the dedication of the Stephen Mather Commemorative plaque followed by the official loading and sealing of the Children's Time Capsule.The National Park Service wants your letters and photos describing your family's stories and experiences from visiting Whiskeytown. A special letter writing table will be at the event for those last minute letters to be sealed in the special time capsule for next 50 years and opened when the park turns 100 years old in 2065.Don't let your letter to the future be left out of the time capsule!

The Shasta Symphony will perform on Brandy Creek Beach with Conductor Dwayne Corbin leading the orchestra.During the performance, the public is invited to participate in lighting your own floating candle luminary memorial on Whiskeytown Lake in Brandy Creek Lagoon in celebration of 50 years of quality recreation.

We hope you can join us to celebrate the past and future of Whiskeytown on August 22!



Last updated: August 14, 2015

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 188
Whiskeytown, CA 96095

Phone:

530 242-3400

Contact Us