The late legendBetty Whitemay no longer be with us, but the celebration of her birthday will go on in a very special way in her hometown. Almost a full century ago, White was born in the village of Oak Park, Illinois. Though she moved to California as an infant, theGolden Girlsstar always spoke highly of Oak Park and would continue to visit relatives in the area over the years. The residents are grateful, and village president Vicki Scaman says Oak Park says they will now turn White’s birthday into a holiday that pays tribute.
The first annual “Betty White Day” will be held on Jan. 17, the day White would have turned 100 years old. PerTMZ, Oak Park residents had been very vocal about still honoring White with Scaman now declaring the news official. A few days before the occasion, Scaman will read a proclamation for Betty White Day during a memorial for Oak Park community members. Local businesses will also be offering discounts to customers and “Betty White specials” in honor of White.
One example of this would be Mickey’s Restaurant, which will be selling a special consisting of a hot dog, french fries, and Diet Coke, one of White’s favorite Meals. Turano Bakery is planning to make a giant birthday cake. Cutouts of White will be adorning the walls in the downtown area, and a Betty White mural contest will be held with the winning mural getting painted downtown. As an added bonus, many residents will already have Betty White Day off of work, as it also happens to fall on a national holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Related:Rue McClanahan’s Family Pays Tribute to Betty White
Betty White’s 100th Birthday Celebration Is Also Coming to Theaters
Before Betty White’s death, it was announced that a documentary celebrating her life and career would be heading to theaters for one day only. Scheduled for a theatrical release through Fathom Events on Jan. 17, the special includes new footage of White along with many of her celebrity friends speaking about their favorite memories of working with her. In one of her last statements given to the press, White said of the theatrical event, “Who doesn’t love a party?!? This one is gonna be great.”
“Our hearts mourn today with the passing of Betty White," said the producers of the documentary, dubbedBetty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration. “During the many years we worked with her, we developed a great love and admiration for Betty as a person, and as an accomplished entertainer. We are thankful for the many decades of delight she brought to everyone. Betty always said she was the ‘luckiest broad on two feet’ to have had a career as long as she did. And honestly, we were the lucky ones to have had her for so long.”
Confirming thatthe special will still be heading to theaters, they added, “We will go forward with our plans to show the film on January 17 in hopes our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life — and experience what made her such a national treasure.”
From what we all know about Betty White, she would want everyone to look back upon her legacy fondly without people feeling so sad about her death. The theatrical celebration will be one day to do that, and the annual Betty White Day in Oak Park will ensure that Betty’s memory lives on for some time to come. Rest in peace, Betty White.
