A once forgotten landmark made a comeback in the Village of Carlsbad just in time for the start of the new year. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the City of Carlsbad will hold a ceremony to dedicate the new Carlsbad Sign and light it for the first time from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8 in  Carlsbad Boulevard near the intersection of Carlsbad Village Drive. The public is invited to join the Chamber and City officials to mark the occasion. The illuminated marker commemorates the important role that business has played in the success of the city over the decades and also pay tribute to Carlsbad Boulevard’s role as part of the Historic U.S. Route 101, the Pacific Coast Highway. The entire sign will stretch nearly 82 feet across the street. Located in the middle of a truss system, the sign portion will be nearly 31 feet long and 5 feet 5 inches tall. Support beams will raise the sign more than 29 feet from the ground, and the clearance will be about 20 feet at its highest point. The design of the marker is modeled after a sign that was built near the site in the 1930s. It features the City’s name on both sides in bold, white letters on a blue background with thin beige and black border accents. “This sign, which will be enjoyed by current and future generations of Carlsbad residents and those who visit our city, adds a distinctive touch to the Village area,” said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a testament of the positive impact that businesses and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce have had in forging the future of the City of Carlsbad over the years.” Established in 1923, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in the city’s push for incorporation in 1952. In its early days, the Chamber took responsibility for some of the civic duties that came under the purview of the City Council after incorporation, including tree-trimming and street repairs. The sign was spearheaded by Carlton Lund, the immediate past chairman of the Chamber’s board of directors. It was made possible by a contribution from the TaylorMade Golf Co., a long-time supporter of the Chamber and of numerous philanthropic efforts in the region. “The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is in the position that it is — the second largest in San Diego County and the 10th-largest in the state, because of its passionate and dedicated members,” Owen added. “I thank TaylorMade Golf for its generous contribution and Carlton Lund for his dedication to make this sign a reality.” The Carlsbad City Council approved the sign in June.