150 Years of Cityhood – “A celebration of our community, by our community!”
Past, Present, Future, Together
“Martinez’s Sesquicentennial is a celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re going. Together, we will honor our past, embrace our present and build a future that reflects the spirit and resilience of our community.” – Mayor Zorn
By City of Martinez
Celebrate 150 years of Martinez with us! Join the City of Martinez for our Sesquicentennial Festival on August 29, 2026, from 11am–7pm at the Martinez Marina and Waterfront Park.
Enjoy this once‑in‑a‑generation, waterfront‑wide celebration honoring the history, spirit, and people of Martinez. Spanning Waterfront Park, and the Martinez Marina area, the festival brings neighbors, families and local organizations together for a full day of music, activities, and community pride.
“I am honored to be part of this chapter in Martinez’s history,” said Mayor Brianne Zorn. “As we celebrate 150 years, we are taking the opportunity to express gratitude for all that has been built by those before us and also look ahead with optimism and commitment to building a vibrant future for the next generations.”
From live music and kayaks to art activities and kites, there’s something for everyone. Plus, with our partnership with the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival from 1pm–6pm, you can enjoy an incredible selection of craft brews as part of the festivities!
Bring your family, invite your friends and spend the day enjoying all the fun, energy and community spirit that makes Martinez special!
August 29, 2026
Main Festival 11am-7pm
Beer Festival 1-6pm
Planned in partnership with Downtown Martinez & Co. and the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival, the event features expanded entertainment and hands‑on experiences that showcase the best of our community.
All Community Activities Are FREE! Festival Features & Activities:
- Main Stage live music
- Climbing wall
- Foam parties
- Kids’ obstacle course
- Kids’ zone with arts &crafts, and soft‑play activities
- Bike Zone
- Splash‑bash water fun
- Bocce
- Kite Zone: First 500 kids get a free kite!
- Face painting
- Bubble fun
- Kayak tours
- Rowboat races
- Community Stage performances
Source: City of Martinez
Kit Zone – Let’s go fly a kite, Martinez!
At our Sesquicentennial Festival, we’re celebrating one of our most colorful local traditions: the kites that regularly paint the sky above the Marina!
We’re thrilled to spotlight our very own “Kite Man of Martinez,” Tony Jetland and better known as “KMOM”, whose vibrant kites have become a beloved part of our waterfront. KMOM will be flying his jaw dropping kites in the Kite Zone, where he’s also generously giving away 500 free kites to let families join in the fun and fill the sky with color. This is a great opportunity to meet KMOM and see his kites in action. Thank you also to the John Muir Association and the Boy Scouts Troop 429, who will be supporting the Kite Zone throughout the day.
Come be part of this hometown tradition and help us make the Marina soar during our 150th celebration!
Retail items celebrating Martinez, food trucks and beverages will be scattered throughout the Festival for purchase. Beer Fest is a ticketed event, and you can pre-purchase tickets at www.downtownmartinez.org.
Thank you to our Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge our generous sponsors for supporting this milestone celebration!
TruGreen, SecureSpace, First Baptist Church Martinez, Muir Family Dentistry, John Muir Association and IBEW Local 302.
We’ll be sharing more info about the day and have some fun surprises already in store, so save the date and stay tuned! Learn more at: www.cityofmartinez.org/150festival
Source: City of Martinez
Sesquicentennial Year 2026
The City was incorporated on April 1, 1876 – no fooling! To mark this momentous occasion, the City has been undertaking initiatives and events throughout the 2026 calendar year.
As Martinez moves through 2026, the Sesquicentennial theme of Past, Present, Future, Together will serve as the guiding vision to make sure each facet of our collective story remains at the center of our community’s celebration and commemoration. This theme reflects the City’s strength of connection to its history, the importance and influence of today’s community, and the optimistic look ahead at our future together.
“Martinez’s Sesquicentennial is a celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re going. Together, we will honor our past, embrace our present and build a future that reflects the spirit and resilience of our community.” – Mayor Zorn
Source: City of Martinez
Sesquicentennial Anniversary
The City proudly celebrated its Sesquicentennial Anniversary on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Martinez City Hall, marking 150 years since Martinez’s incorporation. The City was grateful to celebrate this milestone with residents, families and visitors from around the Bay Area.
Attendees enjoyed live music from the Martinez Junior High Jazz Band, light appetizers, a celebratory dessert, and the popular Flower Bouquet Bar. The festive atmosphere set a joyful tone leading into the evening’s commemorations.
Then the City Council convened a special meeting honoring Martinez’s 150th Anniversary of Incorporation. The program included congratulatory messages and presentations highlighting Sesquicentennial initiatives taking place throughout the year.
The meeting reflected on the City’s rich history, recognized its ongoing progress, and honored the community’s contributions over the past 150 years.
Photo: City of Martinez
150 Trees for 150 Years Planting Project
More than 150 new trees have been planted across the City in advance of the Sesquicentennial on April 1, 2026! New plantings can be found along Alhambra Avenue, Marina Vista, Arnold Drive and other key corridors, where over ten species, such as Crepe Myrtle, Chitalpa, Valley Oak and Coast Live Oak, were chosen for their beauty and proven success in our local climate.
Source: City of Martinez
This citywide beautification effort not only honors the Sesquicentennial but also enhances Martinez’s long-term environmental health. As part of this project, improvements to medians and irrigation systems will support the trees’ growth and longevity. Additional shrubs and plantings will also be added to the improved medians to create a more vibrant, sustainable landscape throughout the community.
With the trees now in the ground and beginning to take root, residents will see this green transformation unfold throughout 2026. These plantings stand as a lasting tribute to Martinez’s past and a hopeful symbol of the City’s next 150 years!
Park System Master Plan Update 2026
The Martinez Parks System Master Plan is being updated in 2026, and will provide a clear, community-driven vision to guide the development, enhancement, and long-term stewardship of the City’s park and open space system over the next 15 years.
A comprehensive effort to re‑envision Martinez’s parks, open spaces, and recreation facilities for generations to come. Through community collaboration and thoughtful planning, this update will provide a roadmap to enhance existing spaces, expand opportunities, and strengthen connection between people and their parks.
Developing a successful and realistic Master Plan requires a thoughtful, step-by-step process. This includes assessing current conditions, identifying opportunities for enhancement, and engaging with the community to understand local needs and priorities.
Ultimately, the Master Plan will serve as a roadmap for creating a healthy, connected, and dynamic park system that supports the well-being of Martinez residents today and for generations to come!
The completed plan will:
- Assess current park conditions, amenities, and service levels;
- Identify priorities for investment, rehabilitation, and expansion;
- Promote environmental resilience and sustainable maintenance practices;
- Reflect evolving recreation trends and demographic changes; and
- Strengthen the connection between people, nature, and community life.
Draft Master Plan for public review in fall 2026 and City Council adoption tentatively expected winter 2026.
Join us on Wednesday, September 2nd at 5:30 p.m. to help shape the future of local parks and recreation! The City will be hosting a Council Workshop in the Martinez City Hall Council Chamber at 525 Henrietta Street, to review draft findings and preliminary recommendations that have come through the first eight months of the Park System Master Plan update process.
More information at www.cityofmartinez.org/parks2026 and follow the City’s Facebook page.
City of Martinez 150 Utility Box Art Program location map. Source: City of Martinez
Utility Box Art Program
Celebrating Community through Public Art!
A creative beautification project that will transform utility boxes throughout the City into works of public art celebrating Martinez’s culture, history and community.
As part of the City’s Sesquicentennial celebration, the Sesquicentennial Utility Box Art Project is underway to bring more public art to our community. The Project will transform five utility boxes across Martinez into vibrant public art celebrating our community’s culture, history, and spirit. Created and selected by the community, the artwork reflects the Sesquicentennial theme, Past, Present, Future, Together, highlighting what makes Martinez such a great community.
From June 1, 2026 until July 20, 2026, a total of 3,844 community votes were submitted through PollUnit, a device-based online voting platform. The five designs with the highest number of votes were presented to the City Council on August 5, 2026 and approved. After designs are finalized and fit to the vinyl wrap vendor specifications, the installation is expected to be completed in Fall 2026. More information at www.cityofmartinez.org/utilityboxart.
District Community Sessions
The City hosted district Community Sessions January – February 2026 to kick off the Sesquicentennial year! Community members met their District Representative and the Mayor and heard about major City initiatives that were planned or already underway.
The Sessions focused on:
- The Sesquicentennial Celebration year
- The City’s 4‑Year Strategic Plan
- The Waterfront and Marina Revitalization Project
- The Park Masterplan Update
By hosting one session in each district, the City made sure these conversations were accessible to everyone. Whichever session residents attended, they experienced the same topics and discussions, ensuring that all community members could take part in shaping our shared future. More information including Strategic Plan Presentation Slides at Community Sessions 2026.
Learn about the City Hall Building History and the Mayor and Former Mayors of Martinez.
For more information about the City of Martinez Sesquicentennial visit www.cityofmartinez.org/150.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
