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If Walt Disney were alive today, he would be turning 100 this year -- George Burns territory. To celebrate Walt's centennial, Walt Disney World is putting together some special events this year. Things on the West Coast seem downright ... inactive, with nothing special up the Disneyland Resort's sleeves.

The same cannot be said in the Heartland of America, in a tiny little town called Marceline. The folks in this little Missouri burg, located about two hours northeast of Kansas City, decided about three years ago that they wanted to throw one of the largest bashes Marceline has ever seen.

Before you wonder why a town of 2500 would bother with such a big to-do, it might help to know that Marceline is Walt's boyhood hometown; his four years spent there from 1906 to 1911 helped shape Walt's view on life, on people, and the world.

Marceline's sign welcoming train passengers

Thus Marceline threw open its doors of country hospitality to set out the red carpet September 20, 21, and 22 for "Walt Disney's Hometown 100th Birthday Celebration." While the three-day event was filled with activities such as corn mazes, square dancing, and pie-eating contests, a few extra-special events came straight from the heart of Disney Americana.

On Saturday, September 21, the town of Marceline turned out to mark the dedication of its train depot. This was not just any train depot, however. The train depot will eventually become a museum dedicated to Walt Disney and in particular, his life in Marceline.

Marceline's historic train depot will be turned into a Disney family museum

A temporary exhibit with just a partial collection was presented during the weekend celebration. This, as well as the final collection, is being developed by noted museum designer Gerard Eisterhold of Eisterhold Associates Inc., a Kansas City- based interpretive exhibit design firm that has also worked on the Rosa Parks Museum in Alabama, and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

A display showing items from the 50th Anniversary party for Walt's parents

When the museum is completed, "there will be over 2500 artifacts here," said Eisterhold, "as well as rotating private collections" from various individuals, many of which have never been seen by the public before. One item that will be on permanent display in the museum will be the original cornerstone from the grade school that Walt Disney attended.

The original cornerstone for the elementary school attended by Walt and Ruth Disney

An outdoor stage area was set up next to the train depot for a special dedication ceremony. What was the day before just a grassy yard with a single sign proclaiming "Walt Disney's Boyhood Hometown," on Saturday was standing room only, full of young and old alike: children in their Sunday best as well as some in summer outfits. The oldest in the crowd were given their proper respect as they were offered folding chairs at the front row. The air was abuzz with excitement, American flags, and Mickey- head balloons as the crowded waited eagerly for the Burlington Northern Railroad to pull in the executive train.

The train pulled into the newly renovated Marceline train depot around 11 a.m. under sunny skies and the watchful eyes of troopers, police officers and the governor's own security detail.

On hand to greet Marcelinians and out-of-town visitors were a number of notables, including Missouri Governor Bob Holden, his wife and his two children John D. and Robert.

With Missouri's first family standing on a special stage erected near the train depot, it was time for the official ceremony to begin. The Pledge of Allegiance was followed by the singing of National Anthem. With a few tears in the crowd, small flags waved wildly at the end of the song.

After introducing the various dignitaries, ceremony host Phil Tate, the director of business expansion and attraction for the Missouri Department of Economic Development, introduced the mayor of Marceline.

Joe Sportsman, Marceline's mayor

"As the mayor of Marceline, I would like to officially welcome you to Marceline, and to Walt Disney's 100th Birthday Celebration" said Mayor Joe Sportsman. "Walt expressed many times, his enjoyment of growing in Marceline. He enjoyed the small-town values; we still have those values here today. I want you to enjoy the city while you're here, look things over, and come back many times."

Missouri Governor Bob Holden then greeted the crowd with a rousing "God bless America!" which received much applause and cheers. "When you think of Walt Disney, this is what you think of. Places like Marceline, all across this country. Because that's what he stood for, that's what he lived for, and that's what he died seeing achieved in this country. So I'm just delighted to be here."

"The town square of there is a plaque which reads: 'Here age relives fond memories of the past. And here, youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.' Someday, such a plaque may stand in Marceline. Because yes, there is a dream. And it's alive and well in Walt Disney's boyhood home, Marceline, Missouri.

"I'm delighted to have everybody here. Enjoy your time. Let's make all of this a reality, and God bless America."

With the governor's speech to an end and some more words from other dignitaries, the emcee introduced Doina Roman- Osborn, the 2001 Disneyland Resort Ambassador.

As the crowd politely applauded Doina stepped off the train, a wave of gasps and cheers rose from the group and Mr. Tate said, "And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, our very special guests, Minnie and Mickey Mouse!"

Doina Roman-Osborn and Minnie Mouse disembark the train

All of a sudden, the electrified crowd surged forward to meet the Park's most famous residents. After all, Missouri doesn't get a visit from Mickey and Minnie in person very often.

"Well good morning everyone, and welcome to Marceline, Missouri!" said Doina. "Thank you so much for having us. I can't go anywhere without these two. I hope you don't mind that I brought along, did you? No, I certainly hope not. Well, we would just like to share with you that the Walt Disney Company and the Disneyland Resort is thrilled and honored to be here today on this very special occasion. Like the governor said, this is a special place that inspired Walt Disney when he created Disneyland.

"And when Disneyland opened back in 1955, the world saw something very special. [a train honks going by] -- and HEARD something special, too! -- he loved trains too, so I think that was very appropriate. The world saw something very special at Disneyland, and that was a place where families, children, parents, grandparents, everyone could go and enjoy a very special place. And of course Main Street USA is the main place where everyone has to walk through when they enter the gates of Disneyland. And that of course was inspired by where we are today, a place called Marceline, Missouri. So Mickey and Minnie and I are absolutely thrilled to be here, and we thank you for that. And I thank you very much.

"And I know that this afternoon, Mickey and Minnie would love to be a part of the parade. Would that be all right as well?" Doina asked, much to the approval of the crowd.

With children calling out Mickey's name, Doina and Governor Holden, with Mickey and Minnie stepped over to the entrance of the museum depot for the official ribbon- cutting ceremony.

The ribbon to be cut, dedicating the museum

With Mickey and Minnie in tow, Doina and Governor Holden then cut the ceremonial ribbon to the entrance of the train depot. The Disneyland representatives and dignitaries then toured the museum.

The governor and his family tour the museum with Minnie and Mickey

As promised, both Mickey and Minnie took a tour down Main Street later that afternoon as grand marshals of the Marceline parade. The start of the parade was officially marked with the perfect landing of three professional parchuters. All three landed as they held up American flags, which were taken from each parachuter, to be flown along Main Street.

An impressive precision landing

A small town parade reminiscent of the finale of "The Music Man," bands from Marceline and neighboring towns all marched in the procession, which was also attended by the governor's family, Disney relatives, as well as the Chicago NFFC chapter's kazoo band.

CONTINUED

You can contact Lani here.

Article by Lani Teshima

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