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After more than a decade of toil, the fruits of the Los Gatos Community Foundation's labor were realized with the toe-tapping Dixieland-themed Lyndon Bandstand Celebration at Oak Meadow Park on Sept. 6.
Decked in full Southern regalia, members of the Los Gatos Community Foundation and Town of Los Gatos dignitaries joined to honor those who participated in the fundraising, building, and inspiration for the bandstand. Founding LGCF member Adu Bagley led the ceremony, which included passing the bandstand deed to Mayor Sandy Decker.
Bubbling with enthusiasm, Decker thanked the Foundation for the gift that was bestowed to the town. "This is a special space that enhances many things. Look around—is this not gorgeous?" she called out to the crowd. "It is truly a dream come true. This is such a gift."
"I'm very, very pleased with the way it came out," said Paul Dubois of the LGCF. "And I've received nothing but good feedback from this event."
"I can see concerts out here, I can see informal concerts where someone gets up there with a guitar and just starts playing," he added. "We can have weddings here, and there's interest from the junior high schools to hold their graduations here."
"It's going to be a regularly-used venue," he added. "And I think the more people who see it, the more it will be used."
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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Guests flocked to catch a glimpse of the Art Cats, including 'Senora Gata' (left) and 'Slippery When Wet.' The cats were set up for viewing until mid-afternoon.
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After the congratulations and ribbon-cutting concluded, guests were treated to entertainment by the Los Gatos High School dance and cheer teams. While senior citizens watched from nearby chairs, families took to the shade to munch salads from the California Café and Charthouse, and others perused winning photos from the Kinko's Kinky Kitty Photo Contest.
The Art Cat tables were the biggest attention-grabber, displaying all of the cats—except for the missing "Up Close and Purrsonal" model—for examination and bidding. Bids were finalized at 1:30 p.m., with the "Fat Cat," designed by Gordon Smedt, taking top place at $4,000. The second highest bid was $3,500 placed for John Pugh's "El Trojan Gatos."
While Art Cat enthusiasts finalized their purchases, Leigh Weimers from the San Jose Mercury News led the first-ever catcalling contest, which featured 13 hopefuls belting out their best high-pitched calls. Top prize went to a feral cat caller, who also announced the winner of the $1,000 Art Cat fish bowl drawing, Nan Rook.
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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Inspired by the South Bay Stompers, Dominque Abrate dances to Dixieland jazz with her grandmother, Lynette Autrey, as her brother Alessandro looks on.
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The heat continued through the rest of the afternoon, as did the line for Dolce Spazio Gelato, while the Thumbs Up! barbershop quartet performed, followed by the rousing ragtime sounds of the South Bay Stompers.
Daytime events concluded at 4 p.m., leaving two hours for adults to go home, rest up, and get ready for the big dinner-dance held at 6 p.m.
Couples seemed to enjoy the cooler evening, which provided just enough warmth for outdoor dining by C.B. Hannegan's and dancing to "Mack the Knife," which played the perfect tunes to toast to one grand ol' celebration.
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Photograph by George Sakkestad