100 Years Strong! Grand Canyon Celebrates Centennial Status as a National Park
The Grand Canyon was considered one of America’s greatest natural wonders and had been admired by travelers long before the concept of tourism came to the country. In 1919, the Grand Canyon National Park was made official and the land was given certain protections in order for visitors to relish in its splendor for generations to come. In 2019, the Grand Canyon National Park will be entering its 100th year of national park status and many believed it was time to celebrate, starting with a brand new logo!
The colorful yet minimalist logo prominently features the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River accompanied by the tagline, “Go Grand.” The National Parks Service, the Grand Canyon Association, and the marketing firm Off Madison Avenue collaborated together to create the new logo to honor the park’s centennial anniversary milestone. The three groups also came together with the intent to make a great visual reminder of the Grand Canyon’s immense impact on American history, values, and culture while simultaneously showcasing the Canyon’s natural beauty.
The 2019 Centennial celebration will be a commemorative acknowledgment of the Grand Canyon’s place in American history along with the park’s association with the 11 traditionally associated tribes, including the Hualapai Nation. The logo and the events surrounding the Centennial are meant to observe the last 100 years of the park’s history while fostering inspiration for future generations to protect the Grand Canyon’s resources.
Susan Schroeder, chief executive officer of Grand Canyon Association, stated, “The Centennial year is a reminder for us to look back at our successful partnership with Grand Canyon National Park and to celebrate the last 100 years while we prepare for the next 100 years.”
To promote additional visitation during the Centennial, park officials plan on holding several events throughout 2019 at the South Rim, North Rim, Desert View, Inner Canyon, and other surrounding communities. The logo itself will not only be used for the Centennial events, but will be adopted for the park’s overall branding and marketing strategy beyond 2019. You can learn more about the Grand Canyon National Park Centennial at their website.
