Wheatland rings in 150th birthday during daylong celebration

Jeff Larson, Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.
·2 min read

May 20—City and regional officials joined in with the historic past and present on Saturday in Wheatland to celebrate 150 years since the city was incorporated on April 13, 1874.

The day began with the annual pet parade, which celebrated 100 years this year of the community marching down Main Street and over to Front Street in a quick loop that has showcased many different animals, livestock and reptiles over the past decades.

Wheatland Mayor Rick West has been to almost as many pet parades as he has been a member of the community 22 years ago. During that time, West said he has seen an iguana, parrot and many dogs and cats heading up the parade route.

"It was a fantastic day," West said.

It was only the beginning as Wheatland's sesquicentennial day featured plenty of activities that went through the night. West said the evening was filled with street dances along Front Street at Front Street Park.

Street Dances were once a prominent activity in the city back in the early 1900s, according to historical figure Leslie Stineman.

Stineman came back to Wheatland on Saturday to again witness the pet parade — a tradition her own family participated in back during one of the first parades. Stineman said the Stinemans first came to Wheatland in the 1880s and Leslie Stineman showed up in 1970 and has been to every pet parade since. Despite relocating to a surrounding community recently, Stineman said Wheatland remains home and still has a few notable locations downtown.

Bill's Place Bar & Grill has been in Wheatland since 1933, while Big Al's remains the place where most everyone shops during the week.

Although there is no pharmacy left in town, as the last one closed about four years ago, Stineman said, Wheatland's heartbeat is still very much alive. What keeps the town ticking is its community, Stineman said.

"It's still a very accepting town," Stineman said. "The town is used to accepting people and letting people participate in what is going on."

Yuba County District 4 Supervisor Gary Bradford revealed a proclamation on behalf of the board during Saturday's celebration that read in part: "As we honor 150 years, we extend our gratitude to all who have contributed to the city's growth and prosperity."