CHEERS! Our city, our Centennial, our celebrations

By Marc Roland

At 10am on July 12, 1923, in front of the mostly-completed Hotel Monticello, thousands of people showed up for the dedication event of the newly-formed city of Longview.

Two days later the Monticello Hotel had its grand opening, kicked off with a large banquet. We don’t know the menu, but we may assume that champagne — or another alcoholic beverage — was not on the menu. Founder R.A Long was known as a religious man and a teetotaler, and I doubt he would have approved of imbibing of any kind. But it would be foolish to think that the guests and citizens attending this momentous event went completely dry.

Prohibition (1920–1933) was a failure and in a few short years to come, would be repealed. The thirst for adult beverages could not be stopped, and Longview was not an exception. Flasks, kegs, and bottles were surely in the mix, but kept under wraps in respect for the founders and their lofty vision. A lot has changed in town since then and, as in most modern cities today, wine, beer, and spirits are a normal expression of celebration and social life.

We are lucky to live in a city that has embraced the good life with a sense of community and celebration of our shared history. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a relative newcomer, Longview’s past is a part of the ethos of living here. The community events that have developed since the founding are rooted in a shared experience. Here is a reminder of upcoming opportunities to participate and celebrate our town.

August 19th is the return of Squirrel Fest (lvsquirrelfest.com). It has become one the the most popular events in town, now celebrating 11 years of “nutty” fun, including a beer and wine garden. According to organizers, Squirrel Fest is the first of its kind on the West Coast and in the Mount St. Helens region!

We’re nuts over this celebration in honor of our furry friends and so are our 3,500+ guests we reconnect with annually. Longview is known for its Squirrel bridges near the Civic Center and all around the Lake,