City celebrates Menifee's special day with Birthday Bash

Merle Zeiders, at age 90 the longest living resident of Menifee, and his wife Ina Mae join in the city's birthday celebration. Menifee 24/7 photo: Tommie Brown

A month-long celebration of the City of Menifee's 10th birthday culminated Saturday night in the city's Birthday Bash and Fall Festival at Mt. San Jacinto College.

Guests visited food and small business vendor booths, kids played in bounce houses, there was a Halloween costume contest and live entertainment and much more. The festivities included a birthday cake for the city, which was incorporated on Oct. 1, 2008. A tribute was paid to 90-year-old Merle Zeiders, the longest living resident of Menifee, who was born here and still farms land in Menifee.

Entertainers included the bands Replay Band and Flux Capacitors. The latter appeared along with the DeLorean "time machine" car from the movie "Back to the Future". The Heart and Soul Line Dancing group, Pacific Islands Art & Entertainment, Anahi Rodriguez, a Taekwondo group and Ballet Folklorico also performed.

The event was the last of 14 events scheduled throughout the month to celebrate the occasion in various ways and at multiple venues with local organizations as sponsors.

Some of the award winners in the costume contest pose with their trophies. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Children had fun playing games and getting some candy at business vendor booths. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

The DeLorean "time machine" car from the movie "Back to the Future" was on display at the festival. Menifee 24/7 photo: Tommie Brown

Members of the Pacific Islands Art & Entertainment group performed on the big stage Saturday night. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Children had fun running, sliding and bouncing on structures in the Kids Zone. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Guests had fun interacting with a variety of creatures at the petting zoo on Saturday. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Mayor Bill Zimmerman (far left) and other city officials and sponsors of the event celebrate Menifee's birthday. Menifee 24/7 photo: Tommie Brown