Miss North Coast Caitlin Hillman and Miss North Coast Outstanding Teen Emmy Huber.

Saturday’s centennial Prom celebration was just like 1921 — with some minor changes.

“There are things they had in 1921 we don’t: bathing beauty, pageants and braids,” state Sen. Betsy Johnson said at Saturday’s 100th anniversary of the Seaside Promenade. “For instance, you likely won’t find a bathing beauty parade today. In Seaside in 1921, they had prohibition. Now we’ve got microbrews and pinot noir.”

David Reid, the executive director of the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, enacted the role of Mayor E.N. Hurd, the mayor who ushered in Seaside’s greatest milestone. Just as politicians flocked to Seaside in 1921, the Saturday centennial anniversary hosted Johnson, state Rep. Suzanne Weber, Mayor Jay Barber and city councilors, Cannon Beach Mayor Sam Steidel, Gearhart Mayor Paulina Cockrum and others.

“It’s such an important day, even the rain decided to show up,” Joshua Heineman, director of tourism marketing for the Seaside Visitors Bureau, said. “I love that.”

The Prom is 14 feet wide and 1.5 miles long, and 24 blocks along the beach from Avenue U to 12th Avenue. The 1921 dedication drew a crowd estimated between 25,000 to 40,000 people. In years to come, the Prom would become Seaside’s premier visitor destination.

“The Prom is really what has bonded the community together,” Brian Owen, CEO of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce, said to the crowd Saturday at the Turnaround. “It’s what’s given us a purpose for people to come here to become friends and to become family. And hopefully to take a piece of us back with them. I look at everybody seated. And these are all individuals who have not only invested in business, but invested in the community with relationships.”

Saturday morning kicked off with an anniversary parade featuring Seaside Fire and Rescue, followed by Miss Oregon 2021 Abigail Hayes, Miss North Coast Caitlin Hillman and Miss North Coast Outstanding Teen Emmy Huber, among others. The parade headed down Broadway, featuring the Royal Rosarians — the Portland-based volunteer community service group that played a big role in the Prom’s dedication 100 years ago.

The Rosarians, dressed in their traditional straw hats and white uniforms, planted a ceremonial rose at the corner of Broadway and South Holladay. “Our hopes are that that rose will be growing and blossoming just as this community of Seaside has since its founding,” Rosarian Prime Minister Korrie Hoeckendorf said.

Johnson recalled “Victor the Lobster,” a 25-pound lobster rescued from a supermarket tank that was to live comfortably at the Seaside Aquarium. Victor’s untimely demise after a “lobster-napping” drew international attention.

City Council members prepared a time capsule to be opened in 2121, while museum board president and City Councilor Steve Wright’s granddaughter broke a ceremonial bottle to usher in the next 100 years.

“The Prom is the playground for everyone,” Johnson said. “You don’t have to pay an annual fee or any special pass. You just show up and enjoy.”