You’re invited to a party celebrating special anniversaries of two local companies that have been doing business in Fountain Hills for 40 years.

Bashas’ and The Fountain Hills Times opened within two weeks of each other in June, 1974.

The party will be held this Saturday, June 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Bashas’ store in Fountain Hills Plaza.

The original Bashas’ opened here June 19, 1974 in the La Montana Shopping Center on the northeast corner of La Montana Drive and Palisades Boulevard.

The Times’ first edition was on June 27, 1974.

A drawing will be held for 10 $40 gift certificates to Bashas’ and there will be various gift certificates from other local businesses.

The Times also will be giving away tickets to future Diamondbacks games.

Free anniversary cake will be served. Hot dogs and soft drinks will sell for 25 cents each.

The drawing for the Bashas’ gift certificates will be for Times subscribers only. They must have entered a coupon to be eligible for the drawing. Deadline for entries is Thursday, June 19. An entry form appears on Page 5A of this week’s Times.

There will also be a drawing for a variety of prizes donated by local merchants. You can sign up in the store on the day of the party to be eligible for those drawings.

“We will also have an introduction of people who attended the opening party at Bashas’ in 1974,” said Alan Cruikshank, publisher of The Times.

The Times staff and Bashas’ store director Ken Fett will be introduced. Fett moved to the community with his folks in 1978 and grew up in the community.

Also expected to make an appearance will be Leonard Borsuk, long-time manager of the Fountain Hills Bashas’ store who retired in 1996. He hired Fett in October 1983.

“We hope to have some surprise guests also in attendance,” Cruikshank said. “We want everyone to come and have a good time.”