Best of 2012: How Brands Celebrated 100th Anniversaries in a Big Way

The centennial celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, an honorary recognition of the namesake trees given to Washington by Japan in 1912, began in March with the Pink Tie Party. The taste-around event for 750 had a cake decorated with cherry blossoms and Washington memorials from Charm City Cakes.

A record 1.4 million people came out for the Calgary Stampede’s centennial in July, which saw four areas of the Canadian city host a synchronized, 12-minute fireworks show, the largest of its kind in the country’s history.

In January, L.L. Bean rolled out a 13-foot-tall replica of its infamous “duck boot.” The oversize boot-on-wheels debuted in the retailer’s home state of Maine before traveling to major U.S. cities.

Children and family advocacy agency Hollygrove celebrated with a gala at the Hollywood Museum in April with memorabilia from onetime Hollygrove resident Marilyn Monroe.

On March 6, Oreo threw surprise celebrations around the world, including seven flash-mob parties in the U.S. where more than 40 dancers sang “Happy Birthday” and danced on the streets.

Olympic medalists Dorothy Hamill, Nancy Kerrigan, Paul Wylie, and Dick Button helped the Skating Club of Boston celebrate its 100th this past winter. At the ball, skates doubled as vases for the floral arrangements.