An entire evening was dedicated to celebrating Somerville's All-America City Award, Saturday at the Center for the Arts at the Armory. ~Photo by Donald Norton

By Elizabeth Sayer

Residents, business owners and elected officials from past and present joined in a community celebration on Saturday dedicated to celebrating one thing: Somerville.

The city-organized event, at the Center for the Arts at the Armory Oct. 17, dedicated an entire evening to celebrating Somerville's All-America City Award, which the city received from the National Civic League in June after competing in Florida.

Comedians Lenny Clark and Tony V. performed, along with local Disco-funk band Booty Vortex and Blackout, Tufts University's Step team Blackout. Local restaurants provided a buffet for the estimated 360 attendees while Somerville Youth Projects held a silent auction with Patriots tickets and autographed sports memorabilia.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone spoke about his lifelong love and passion for Somerville, and what the award meant to him.

'I am proud of Somerville and all that we are aiming to accomplish,' Curtatone told the audience. 'I'm proud of the [future] Green Line Expansion. I am proud of the business districts and the growth they are going to see over the next ten years. I am proud of the investments in basic infrastructure that will build a stronger city,"

"In 25 or 50 years from now, residents of Somerville will look back with gratitude at the hard work of the people of this city,' he added.

Former Mayors Dorothy Kelly-Gay and Eugene Brune also spoke. Kelly-Gay recalled her first experiences in Somerville after emigrating from Ireland in 1968.

'We chose to stay in Somerville, despite it's reputation at the time, because of the people,' she said. 'Our neighbors are the best in the world, and the only way I will leave is when I'm taken out of my house toe-up."