Irvine's University Park throws a party to celebrate half a century

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Xiaobin Liu hands her granddaughter Ayla, 2, a 10 cent vanilla ice cream compliments of Thrifty Ice Cream and Rite Aid, during the University Park 50th anniversary celebration picnic in Irvine on Saturday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Guests wait in line to get 10 cent ice cream Thrifty Ice Cream and cotton candy. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Tiffany Kuester is all smiles after winning a dozen donuts in a raffle during the University Park 50th anniversary celebration. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Ayla Liu, 2, enjoys a 10 cent vanilla ice cream on Saturday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Guests enjoy the sun during University Park’s 50th anniversary celebrations. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Anne Marie Sircello invites people to craft crowns at University Park’s 50th anniversary celebration picnic Saturday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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A youngster brings her own shade to the University Park celebration picnic. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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A child plays with aa hula-hoop at University Park’s 50th anniversary celebration picnic in Irvine on Saturday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

By Daily Pilot staff

July 30, 2016 4:41 PM PT

Residents got the chance to step back in time during a 50th-anniversary celebration Saturday for University Park, Irvine’s first “village.”

A picnic at University Community Park featured a residents parade, along with root beer and Thrifty ice cream for 10 cents a scoop.

The weekend celebration will end Sunday with an Irvine Kiwanis all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. at the park, which is next to the University Park Library, 4512 Sandburg Way.

A photo and art exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the park’s community center.

Irvine’s University Park throws a party to celebrate half a century