Posted on Mon, Feb. 20, 2012

A new film celebrates the history of the Turlock Irrigation District, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

The TID is inviting its customers to a pair of free screenings of the film "The Irrigationist" on Saturday at the Turlock Community Theatre.

It will be the only major event marking the district's founding, which happened June 6, 1887. The Modesto Irrigation District, which came into being July 18 of that year, is still planning its celebration.

The two districts were the first to be formed under the Wright Act, a state law encouraging the construction of reservoirs and canals for farming. The TID and the MID both tapped the Tuol-umne River for water and later power.

"This film will be utilized as an educational tool for generations to come," TID General Manager Casey Hashimoto said in a news release. "Viewers will notice TID has a rich history of seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges to benefit the people of the region."

The film was produced by the TID and The Creation Lab, a Turlock studio that made a 2008 film on the city's history.

The district supplies water to about 5,800 farmers on about 149,500 acres stretching from south Modesto to north Merced County and from the San Joaquin River to land east of Hughson and Denair.

The TID has about 98,000 electricity customers in roughly the same territory, as well as some areas to the west and east.

---

At a Glance

'The Irrigationist'

• WHEN: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday

• WHERE: Turlock Community Theatre, 1574 E. Canal Drive

• COST: None. Viewers must have tickets and be Turlock Irrigation District customers.

• TICKETS: They can be picked up at TID offices at 333 E. Canal Drive, Turlock; 2944 Third St., Ceres; or 34 N. Third St., Patterson.

• PREVIEW: A trailer for the film can be viewed at www.tid.com.

• COPIES: They will be available in the weeks after the screenings for $15 for Blu-ray discs or $5 for DVDs.