BALTIMORE:  Baltimore City has been filtering great-tasting water for a century! The Baltimore City Department of Public Works is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Montebello I Water Filtration Plant - the most advanced water treatment plant in the country when it opened a century ago, and still providing the best quality drinking water today.

On Saturday, September 19, along the shore of beautiful Lake Montebello, DPW will host a fun-filled day of activities, just as Baltimore celebrated its opening a hundred years ago. The celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“One hundred years of providing high-quality filtered water is going to be a landmark event,” said DPW Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. “Please join us for a fun-filled day as we celebrate the centennial of the Montebello I Filtration Plant, and the ongoing work behind the Baltimore region’s outstanding water system.”
Lake Montebello has been in existence since 1881, but on Sept. 13, 1915, City leaders dedicated the first Montebello Water Filtration Plant, where more than 5,000 citizens gathered on a very hot day. There was a two-hour ceremony to recognize the significant step of purifying our drinking water. Baltimore’s Mayor at that time, James H. Preston, called it “the most important event that has taken place in my time.” Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will echo that sentiment and speak of the continuing importance of our drinking water system at a brief ceremony.

The day’s activities will include:

• Main Stage: live music from some of the best area bands - Letitia VanSant and the Bonafides; Karter Jaymes and the Ezekial Reed Band, and J. Pope and Funk Friday.
• A variety of additional entertainers on a second stage.
• Antique automobiles on display from the Chesapeake Region, Antique Automobile Club of America, as well as a period fire engine from the Fire Museum of Maryland.
• Giveaways - a Montebello History booklet, period boater hats, fans, bags, water bottles, trees, commemorative lapel pins, and more while supplies last!
• Food - a wide variety of food trucks will be on site ($).
• A Beer Garden will provide beer and wine for adults ($).
• Kids Zone - bounce house, giant Legos, coloring activities, kite-making, face-painting, balloon animals, and more.
• Facility Tours - take a tour of the Montebello Water Filtration Plant.
• Bicycling around Lake Montebello with bikes available on-site.
• Disc golf demonstrations for all to participate in this fun activity.
• Time Capsule - Attendees are invited to leave a note to their descendants of 100 years from now for inclusion. Videos will also be incorporated into this activity.
• Wildlife Displays - the Maryland Zoo and Carrie Murray Nature Center will be bringing live animals for young and old to see and learn about their habitats and habits.
• Artists and Crafts! A wide range from the best of Baltimore will have their wares for sale.
• Historic Artifacts – numerous historical associations form Baltimore City and Baltimore County will have fascinating exhibits relating to the History of the Baltimore City Water System, and of the communities surrounding Montebello.
• Over 40 historic photo enlargements from glass negatives, many NEVER SEEN BEFORE, will adorn the fence around the lake.
• Dozens of tents with informational and educational displays from neighboring communities, the  Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Baltimore County, Whitman, Requardt and Associates, and many others will tell you about everything from the new BaltiMeter program, to innovative energy initiatives at the Department of Public Works, how water mains are cleaned and lined, and much more. The Bureau of Solid Waste will also be selling recycling bins at discounted prices at their exhibit tent.
• A Maryland Historical Marker will also be dedicated on site, recognizing the significance of Montebello, the historic General Samuel Smith estate, the lake and the filtration plants.

The loop road around the lake will be closed to traffic on the day of the event.Plenty of Free Parking will be available at the Hopkins Eastern Campus Lot, SE corner of Ellerslie Avenue and East 33rd Street, opposite the YMCA. Free continuous accessible shuttle busses will be available to Lake Montebello. Parking for the disabled will be available adjacent to the event via the Hillen Road entrance to the Montebello facility, just north of 33rd Street.

The Montebello Centennial is a rain or shine event. For additional information, contact DPW at 410-545-6541. 

This is once-in-a-lifetime event that is not to be missed!

Media staff is available for interviews and talk shows.