Hundreds gathered at the Community Center as the Rohnert Park Founders Day celebration kicked off for the first time since 2018 on Saturday, Sept. 26. Saturday’s event was a culminating celebration of Rohnert Park’s 64th birthday, Rancho Cotate High School’s 60th anniversary and America’s 250th anniversary. Organizers Shari Lorenz and Jen Wiltermood worked diligently to plan the event with their committee. In the weeks leading up to the celebration, they recognized sponsors and participants through social media and thanked them for their support.
Committee member Giovanna DeSimone said she had long hoped to see the event return and became emotional at the thought of sharing the celebration with her family. “My grandchildren didn’t even know about this event when I told them about it,” DeSimone said. “Getting to share this day with them and the family means everything to me.”
The parade began shortly after 10:30 a.m., with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety leading the procession. Newly sworn-in Director of Public Safety Rick Navarro rode in the parade, smiling and waving from the passenger side of the ladder truck…