This year marks the 175th birthday year of Urbana, Illinois. For the duration of this year, Urbana will hold monthly events in recognition of its birthday, June 20, 1833. Along with a performance by Urbana High School’s choir and a 175-foot-long birthday cake in February, the next eleven months will be filled with celebrations.

These events include Flowers of Progress, an Urbana Park District arts celebration in April and Discover Diversity in August, which is a look back at the influence of the different ethnicities that have lived in Urbana.

The motivation for this celebration is to bring the people of Urbana together to appreciate the city’s history, said Dennis Roberts, Ward 5.

“Let’s just have a good party,” he said.

Roberts urged for people to get involved in planning different events of their own to celebrate the city.

“Get involved in it,” Roberts said.

When asked how the younger children will be included in the year-long celebration, Roberts said there will be different notifications placed in different locations and businesses around Urbana.

“Along with the calendars that will be sold that will include all this year’s events and the first two months of 2009,” he said. “There will be exhibits and displays put up for everyone to see, read and appreciate.”

Heather Stevenson, Ward 6, also commented on the future for Urbana citizens.

“This will be really neat for Urbana,” she said. “All of Dennis’ hard work will definitely be appreciated.”