Rosie Rally Home Front Festival Circa 2007 -2010

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In 2007 the City of Richmond,CA., the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park teamed up for the first Rosie Rally Home Front Festival. For a number of years this was the official website for the festival.
Content is from the site's 2007 - 2010 archived pages.

The current website for the the Rosie the Riveter Trust and the Rosie Rally Home Front Festival where you will find the most up to date information is found at: http://www.rosietheriveter.org/.
Rosie the Riveter is an icon for women across the world.

Enjoy the nostalgic trip back to the beginning of this annual festival.

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The City of Richmond, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park are teaming up again to bring you:

• Great music & entertainment
• USO Dance
• Local food specialties
• Carnival
• Kids' play activities
• Tours and exhibits about the WWII Home Front
• Vintage Car Show
• YMCA Fun Run/Walk

 

What's the Home Front?

What is the legacy of the men and women who labored in Richmond's World War II industries, retail businesses, and social agencies? And where can we discover that legacy today?

 

Become part of the 4th Annual Home Front Festival

Over the past 3 years the Home Front Festival has won the support of dozens of local businesses, and hundreds of exhibitors and volunteers.

We look forward to the work—and the fun—of staging another lively Richmond event. And we look forward to hearing from you.

Please check this website again in early September, when we'll provide you with information on how you can get involved.

Mission Statement

The Home Front Festival by-the-Bay celebrates the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Richmond, California has been nationally designated to exemplify the war effort of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The festival celebrates the coming together of all cultures in a life-changing effort to meet the nation's extraordinary challenges during time of war.

The Festival weekend consists of historical, cultural and educational activities for people of all ages within a beautiful, safe environment by the bay

Description

The festival will be held on October 4 th & 5 th, starting at 1414 Marina Way South extending down the street to the Lucretia Edwards Park on the waterfront. We also will be using the historic Ford Assembly Craneway Pavilion - a short 3 minute walk along the Bay Trail - for the Main Stage Entertainment.

As our title indicates, our theme is built around our "Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park". In addition to the traditional festival with arts & crafts, business booths, non-profit information booths, food and children's activities, and carnival, we have several major events planned. Friday night starts off the weekend with the immensely popular USO Dance, Saturday the Delphinus will be giving docent lead shoreline tours and we will have a VIP Reception for our headliners - The Spinners. Sunday morning the YMCA's Fun Walk/Run will happen again, the SSS Northland which is our local Sea Scout's Ship which will be giving tours and demonstrations, and the highlight of the weekend the "Rosie the Riveter & Home Front Worker's Reunion" is back in the Ford Assembly Building all day.

Wait, I'm not finished...The Red Oak Victory Ship (which is being restored by volunteers and is one of the sites for the National Park) will be open and hosting a play, "Rivets" on Saturday, and the play "Coming Home" on Sunday. The ship is about 3 miles away from the main site, so we will have shuttles going back and forth. AND...there will be a Train Exhibit complete with a "Super Chief" dining car "Acoma" along with a diesel BNSF engine, and the Richmond Railroad Engine and Caboose, along with a reconstructed "boxcar home" from the Native American Village that was in the Santa Fe rail yard. Oh yeah, almost forgot the Classic Car Show at the festival on Sunday.

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Self-guided Tours Food service Gangway photo opportunities	All day
Opening Ceremony USS Northland Sea Cadets Air Force Band of the West	11:00 AM
Rock & Roll Revue by the El-Five Band	12:00 PM
Rhythm & Shoes, Sherrie's Dance Studio	1:00 PM
A Rosie's Experience; Lois Boyle, President of the Richmond Museum Associaiton	1:30 PM
Book signing, The Kaiser Shipyard, Steve Gliford, author.	2:00 PM
Rivets, a Musical Show. $30/adults. Call 510-237-2933, or 232-6593. Or online. Same day tickets if space.	3:00 PM

 

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HISTORICAL POSTERS

The Home Front Festival inspired the creation of a series of historical posters.
Each one tells a fascinating story about the people and places that shaped Richmond.

Vanishing Island Where's Portrero Island? It was so big it made Brooks Island look like a pebble, and if you stood on the Marina's western shore in 1894 you could see the vast salt marsh stretch across San Pablo Strait...	A City for All... How big was Richmond in 1941? Just 23,000 people. By 1943, more than 100,000 had found their way to this quiet little city— 90,000 of them to build war vessels at the Kaiser Shipyards...
Wild Roses Where in Richmond do roses bloom, twining wild through fields of glass? They're growing in old greenhouses of Richmond, remnants of a Japanese American flower-growing industry...	Cruising and Blues-ing What was the best night of the week during World War II? Saturday night, of course, when nightclubs were swinging, theaters were packed, folks dressed their best and the music of mariachis or foxtrots...
Civil Rights and the California Dream People came by the thousands in search of the California Dream. Many, like Eddie Eaton who was born in Texas, had come from the segregated southern states...	Who is Richmond Before World War II, Richmond was the Native American tribe from the Southwest which lived near the Atchison-Topeka and the Santa Fe rail line. It was African American families who farmed the blocks...
Fiesta! Vibrant colorful skirts swirled as the music played during fiesta time. Here since the early 1800s and throughout the days of the California Rancheros, Mexican families have made the Richmond area their home....	Santa Fe Indian Village An 1880 verbal treaty between Laguna Pueblo Indians in New Mexico allowed the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroads passage through their territory in exchange for railroad jobs...

 

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Lend a Hand

The support of our community is an important ingredient for the success of the Festival. There are three ways you can lend a hand: Be a sponsor, a volunteer, or join the many supporting organizations that have already pitched in.

Be a sponsor

Many of our community's foremost businesses are Festival sponsors. Demonstrate your commitment to Richmond's future by joining them. Now you don't necessarily need a brick and motar store in Richmond to be a sponsor. We had an ecommerce fashionable Raquel Welch wigs store as a sponsor last year. The owner of the online wig store has a second home at Point Richmond. Their neighbors are very involved in the Festival and members of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Thinking outside the box, they approached our wig sponsor early last year. Their soft "neighborly" approach paid off. So we encourage you to approach businesses in Richmond as well as your neighbors who may have a business interest elsewhere but have a connection to Richmond and ask that they lend a hand in our annual festival.

Call 510 234-3512 or send us an e-mail, telling us you'd like to learn about the different levels of sponsorship. We'll help you get involved!

Be a volunteer

Volunteering to work at the Festival is a great way to enjoy the fun and energy of the event while helping to ensure its success.

To become a volunteer, please download this application, fill it out, and return it to us. We'll contact you soon.

• Some sample volunteer positions/tasks are:
• Booth Attendants for information and sales.
• Facilitate children’s activities such as interactive and carnival games, and performances.
• Home Front Story Corps Volunteers - Collect stories from Rosies and others who remember the WWII Home Front.
• Nurse or Paramedic Volunteers.
• Assist with parking and traffic control.
• Assist with set-up and break-down.

 

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More Background on HomeFrontFestival.com

The Home Front Festival, also widely recognized as the Rosie Rally Home Front Festival, is a celebrated annual event in Richmond, California, commemorating the city’s crucial role during World War II. Closely connected with the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, the festival honors the legacy of the American home front—particularly the extraordinary efforts of women and diverse communities in wartime industries. This article offers an in-depth look at the festival’s origins, mission, cultural importance, signature events, and its place in both local and American history.

Festival Origins and Ownership

Foundation and Collaboration

The Home Front Festival was established in 2007 through a partnership between:

• The City of Richmond, California

• The Richmond Chamber of Commerce

• The Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park

These organizations united to create an event that both recognizes Richmond’s historic significance and brings the community together in celebration.

Ownership

The festival is not the work of a single private entity but is collaboratively organized by municipal authorities, non-profit partners, and the National Park Service. This joint stewardship ensures representation of diverse local voices and protects the event’s historical integrity.

Location and Proximity

• Festival Setting: The event occupies several significant Richmond landmarks. Core activities take place along Marina Way South, extending to Lucretia Edwards Park on the waterfront.

• Historic Venues: The Ford Assembly Craneway Pavilion serves as the hub for many performances and gatherings. The location is ideal for reflecting on the city’s maritime and industrial past, as it is just a short walk from major World War II sites.

• Additional Sites: The festival also features the Red Oak Victory Ship and the historic Kaiser Shipyard #3, providing direct access to vital pieces of home front history.

Festival Features and Schedule

Signature Events

The Home Front Festival is known for offering an immersive, multi-day experience. Highlights include:

• USO Dance: A nostalgic re-creation of the famed wartime galas, inaugurating the festival weekend with music and vintage flair.

• Main Stage Entertainment: A blend of jazz bands, gospel choirs, and contemporary local acts.

• Historical Tours: Guided and self-guided tours explore WWII sites, shipyards, and restored ships like the Red Oak Victory.

• Plays and Exhibitions: Original productions and historical reenactments, such as “Rivets” and “Coming Home,” staged in authentic environments.

Activities and Attractions

• Local food specialties, carnival games, and children’s play areas

• Classic car shows and displays of WWII vehicles

• Exhibitions featuring trains, including historic rail cars and engines

• Family Fun Run/Walks sponsored by local organizations like the YMCA

• Arts and crafts booths, business and non-profit displays

Festival Schedule Example

Day	Main Activities
Friday	USO Dance, VIP Reception, shoreline tours
Saturday	Live music, tours, historical plays, family activities
Sunday	Fun Run/Walk, ship tours, Home Front Workers’ Reunion, car show

Mission and Goals

• Celebration of Unity: The festival’s mission is to honor the coming together of diverse cultures and communities on the wartime home front.

• Education: It provides historical, cultural, and educational programming for people of all ages.

• Legacy: By supporting public involvement and remembrance, the event preserves the stories of home front workers and keeps the legacy of Rosie the Riveter alive for new generations.

Menus and Food Traditions

Festival-goers enjoy a wide variety of culinary options:

• Local food vendors specializing in regional favorites

• Classic American fare, reminiscent of the WWII era

• Specialty booths featuring multicultural cuisine, reflecting Richmond’s diversity

Awards and Recognition

While the festival itself is not a competitive event, its innovative programming and commitment to community engagement have received accolades from local and national organizations. Its model for collaboration between city government, non-profits, and the National Park Service is considered exemplary for public history and community festivals.

Notable Partnerships and Sponsors

Key partners and sponsors include:

• City of Richmond leadership and municipal departments

• Richmond Chamber of Commerce member businesses

• Schools, community organizations, and volunteer groups

• Local businesses, including regional vendors and notable national sponsors with ties to the area

Audience and Popularity

• Diverse Demographics: The festival draws families, local residents, WWII veterans and their descendants, historians, school groups, and visitors from across the Bay Area.

• Growing Attendance: Each year, attendance has grown steadily, with some events (such as the USO Dance and ship tours) drawing hundreds of participants.

• Multi-Generational Appeal: Activities are thoughtfully curated to appeal to all ages, from children’s games to historical lectures.

Press and Media Coverage

• The festival has been profiled in major Bay Area newspapers, local television, and radio throughout its history.

• National organizations, including those focused on women’s history and WWII heritage, often highlight the festival as a premier commemoration event.

• The Rosie Rally, which encourages attendees to dress as Rosie the Riveter, has attracted widespread media attention for setting records and raising awareness about women’s contribution to history.

Reviews and Community Feedback

• The festival enjoys strong, positive reviews from attendees and local media for its engaging mix of entertainment, education, and commemoration.

• Community leaders often praise the festival’s role in strengthening civic pride and inter-generational dialogue.

• Volunteers and participants highlight the event’s welcoming atmosphere and outstanding organization.

Cultural and Social Significance

Honoring the Home Front

• The festival underscores the vital contributions of those who worked in shipyards, factories, hospitals, and social agencies during the war.

• By celebrating Rosie the Riveter—an enduring symbol of women’s empowerment—it inspires contemporary conversations on gender equality and social justice.

Inspirational Stories

• Historical posters and exhibits tell the stories of Native American, African American, Mexican American, and Japanese American communities whose labor and resilience helped shape Richmond.

Historical Posters and Educational Exhibits

The Home Front Festival has inspired the creation of educational materials and commemorative displays, such as:

• Posters detailing Richmond’s rapid wartime growth and its transformation into a multicultural hub

• Stories of local heroes, unsung workers, and the city’s vibrant nightlife during the war

• Features on the city’s rich history with indigenous communities and immigrant groups

Notable Insights and Examples

• Red Oak Victory Ship: This WWII supply vessel, restored by volunteers, serves as both a floating museum and a stage for historical plays.

• Home Front Workers’ Reunion: The festival’s culminating reunion event offers a poignant opportunity for former workers to share firsthand accounts.

• Arts and Crafts: The festival’s commitment to visual storytelling gives families hands-on access to Richmond’s layered past.

Lend a Hand: Volunteerism and Community Spirit

Ways that community members can get involved:

• Volunteer Opportunities: Booth attendants, storytellers, children’s activity facilitators, nurses, parking assistants, and setup/breakdown teams

• Sponsorship: Local businesses and individuals alike are encouraged to support the festival, reflecting the wartime spirit of collaboration

• Home Front Story Corps: Volunteers collect and share stories from original Rosies and others who remember the WWII era

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The Home Front Festival and Rosie Rally Home Front Festival in Richmond, California, are more than community gatherings—they are living history experiences that foster education, unity, and remembrance. By connecting past and present, the festival leaves a lasting legacy both locally and nationally, ensuring that the courage and contributions of "The Greatest Generation" continue to inspire future ones.

 

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