MODESTO -- UPDATE, 5 p.m.: Downtown Modesto is preparing for a celebration of all things arch. Police were cordoning off parts of downtown at 5 p.m. to prepare for the parade and the lighting of Modesto's iconic arch at around 7 p.m. We'll have more coverage throughout the night.
Modesto's iconic arch will make its public debut today after a $100,000 renovation to the structure that greets I Street motorists with the city motto "Water Wealth Contentment Health."
The 100th anniversary celebration will include a 100-car parade — one from each year of the arch's history dating to 1912 — live music and the burying of a time capsule.
"It's celebrating our community, celebrating Modesto," said Minnie Dodge of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce. "The arch has been with us for 100 years and will be with us for another 100 years."
The parade starts about 5:30 p.m. and follows I Street between Sixth and 11th streets. I Street between Ninth and 11th streets will be closed from about 1 to 9 p.m.
The festivities include turning on the arch's brand-new LED lighting once the sun goes down around 7 p.m. In addition to new wiring, the arch has been sandblasted and given a fresh coat of paint.
Modesto police Sgt. Brian Findlen recommends that people who want to attend the celebration arrive 30 minutes early and use one of the downtown parking garages. Dodge said as many as 1,000 people may participate in the festivities.
There will be some street closures for the parade, and police officers and public works employees will be diverting some traffic.
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