West’s hometown set to celebrate the original Batman with day filled of fun events, and the Batmobile, Batcycle, and Batcopter, of course
(WALLA WALLA, Wash.) — Holy annual celebration Batman! It’s almost time to return to Walla Walla to honor the city’s favorite son — actor Adam West. The Fifth Annual Adam West Day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, honoring the late actor best known for his role as Batman in the 1960s TV show in a way that only his hometown can.
Adam West Day has been a tradition since 2017 in Walla Walla — a town best known as the unofficial capital of Washington wine country — first held just months after the actor died on June 9, 2017. As is tradition, Adam West Day celebrates the life and legacy of the actor on or near his birthday on Sept. 19. And the city will again be pulling out all the stops.
“Adam West Day celebrates the life of an American original with a truly original event,” said Jonathan Grant, front office manager at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center and a co-organizer of the event. “Adam accomplished so much in his career in film, television, stage, and radio. But no matter how much his star rose in Hollywood over a career that spanned more than a half-century, he always made time to come back to Walla Walla. He never forgot where he came from, and we want to make sure that we never forget our ‘Bright Knight’ and all his amazing accomplishments.”
This year’s itinerary includes:
- An opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. at the Land Title Plaza on the corner of First Avenue and Main Street in downtown Walla Walla.
- An in-depth Q&A Panel, with special surprise guests, at 1 p.m. at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center.
- The Batmobile, Batcycle, and Batcopter will be displayed on First Avenue, between Main Street and Alder Street.
- Live music at the Land Title Plaza from 2:30-4 p.m. with free giveaways for kids and special superhero appearances.
- “The Animated Adam West,” which explores West’s life in animation, at 5 p.m. at the Marcus Whitman Conference Center.
- Special movie showing at 7 p.m. at the Marcus Whitman Conference Center.
- Official lighting of the Bat Signal on the Marcus Whitman Hotel at 9 p.m.
Known best for his roles as Batman and later the voice of Mayor Adam West on the show The Family Guy, West had deep Walla Walla roots. Born in 1928 as William West Anderson, he moved to Walla Walla as a young child, growing up in what was then a tiny southeastern Washington farming community. As a teenager, he moved to Seattle, only to return as a student at Walla Walla’s Whitman College.
In 1959, he changed his name to Adam West and began his acting career, famously portraying Batman in the 1960s television series of the comic book hero. Though he moved away from Walla Walla, he returned frequently throughout his life, forever binding him to the community.
Today, there are reminders of Adam West throughout Walla Walla, including the permanent Adam West exhibit at Walla Walla’s Kirkman House Museum — the only museum in the U.S. that, with a push of a secret button, opens up a hidden passage to the Batcave.
“Walla Walla has grown into a world-renowned wine country destination, but it remains a tight knit community with many of the smalltown values that Adam West grew up with,” said Cara Jacobson, marketing director of Visit Walla Walla. “It is so much fun to see Walla Walla celebrate with Adam’s many fans, who each year make a pilgrimage from near and far to honor him. I can’t think of a better way to remember a man who meant so much to so many.”
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