The 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, returned to Bonneville Lock and Dam Sept. 15 to recreate his 1937 dedication speech during a celebration of 75 years of service to the Pacific Northwest which included music, games and family fun for all ages.
Bonneville Power Administration, which also celebrated 75 years of service, and the Corps of Engineers hosted a celebration under sunny skies that included a U.S. Army color guard, a motorcade of 20 vintage cars and remarks by federal, tribal, state and local officials and musical guests, all overseen by actor Gary Stamm, who portrayed the 32nd president.
Supported by more than 25 Corps volunteers and park rangers from Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day dams, the day-long event brought more than 5,000 visitors to the Columbia River locale.
“The Bonneville Dam park ranger staff really hustled all day long and in the weeks preceding the event, ensuring everything was in place and any contingency was well thought out,” said Melissa Rinehart, the Corps’ volunteer coordinator for the 75th celebration. “Parking for the event was a major concern and many of the volunteers made sure everyone parked appropriately and kept the traffic moving. That was a huge undertaking.”
Musical guests The Wanderers, Recyclemen and Renegade Strings performed on the main stage and in the Bradford Island Visitor Center theaters, along with demonstrations on generating electricity and guided tours into Bonneville’s Powerhouse One.