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The iconic “C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A” letters donated by the Disneyland Resort will welcome tens of thousands of guests to the California State Fair on Opening Day tomorrow. The letters were dedicated in a ceremony held earlier today at the site of their new home, the Cal Expo Main Gate.
“The “C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A” letters were popular with millions of Disneyland Resort guests and Cal Expo is a perfect destination to continue their legacy,” said Disney California Adventure Park Vice President Mary Niven.
In attendance at the dedication ceremony were Cal Expo CEO Rick Pickering, Golden 1 Credit Union President and CEO Donna Bland and Disney California Adventure Park Vice President Mary Niven, as well as Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta.
The symbolic letters previously stood near the entrance of Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim for a decade, and were generously donated to Friends of the California State Fair in May 2012. Soon after, Golden 1 Credit Union sponsored the effort to install the massive letters that stand 11 feet, 8 inches and weigh 5,000 to 13,000 pounds each. Totaling 87,328 pounds, they were transported from Southern California in Oct. 2012 and are now permanently positioned at Cal Expo.
“Golden 1 Credit Union is California’s leading credit union and we are thrilled to bring this state landmark to the community and Cal Expo,” said Donna Bland, Golden 1 President and CEO. “We have enjoyed a great partnership with Cal Expo and the California State Fair for many years. And, because Golden 1 is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, we felt this would be a fitting way to demonstrate our support of the communities we serve while providing an opportunity to make memories for the hundreds of thousands of Californians who attend the State Fair and Cal Expo events each year.”
“Through this generous gift from the Disneyland Resort and the sponsorship of Golden 1 Credit Union, we hope to offer families and visitors a great backdrop to capture their memories of “Food, Family and Fun” at the California State Fair,” said Rick Pickering, Cal Expo CEO.
Cal Expo also is grateful to Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for making the magical letters shine bright with energy efficient LED lights. Permanent lighting will be installed after the Fair closes so the letters can continue to shine on.
