The dreams seemed to arrive in bunches on Monday for San Marino resident Irene Smyth. She celebrated her 100th birthday in one of her absolute favorite places (Lacy Park) surrounded by 10,000 of her closest friends at one of her favorite events, the annual 4th of July fireworks spectacular.
“This is fantastic…it truly is,” said Smyth, a 53-year San Marino resident and annual attendee at one of the city’s trademark events. She sat smack dab in the middle of the viewing site among a throng of over 50 family members. Dubbed “The Irene Smyth Fan Club,” the congregation took no chances in missing the golden opportunity due to the city’s appropriate “first come, first served” fireworks policy.
“They were first in line,” said Victoria Marshall, recreation coordinator for the city of San Marino. “At 3 o’clock in the morning!”
Their punctuality paid off, as Smyth received the first song dedication of the day from the Boys of Summer, an Eagles tribute band which provided the evening’s entertainment for the park’s patrons. Smyth was escorted to the stage by recreation staffers and family members and joined the audience in a hearty rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Hours later, Smyth received the loudest ovation of the evening when the show wrapped up.
“And let’s have one more round of applause for Irene Smyth on her 100th birthday,” said the public address announcer. “See you in one year, for number 1-0-1!”
“I will remember this for the rest of my life,” said Smyth on Tuesday morning. “I remember looking into the audience yesterday and seeing my whole family there and I was overwhelmed with love. I cannot believe that so many wonderful people sang to me…it was beautiful.”
