Betty White’s Hometown To Honor 100th Birthday With “Betty White Day” Holiday

Published on January 5, 2022.

(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

Betty White’s hometown is stepping up to honor her memory ahead of what would have been her 100th birthday.

The late comedian, who passed on Friday at the age of 99, is being honored with her own special holiday. The day will be called Betty White Day and will take place on her birthday, January 17th, in her hometown of Oak Park, Illinois. Village president Vicki Scaman shared with TMZ that they are establishing the new holiday this year and will honor her memory on this day for years to come.

A few local spots in Oak Park will have special events taking place to celebrate her honor. One Oak Park business, Mickey’s Restaurant, will create and offer their own “Betty White special” which will include a meal with some of White’s favorite foods. Mickey’s Restaurant’s special will include a hot dog, fries and diet coke. White shared with PEOPLE in 2012 that “hot dogs and Red Vines and potato chips and French fries” were her favorite foods.

Another local vendor, Turano Bakery, will also honor Betty with “a giant birthday cake” on what would have been her 100th birthday. The town is also having a Betty White mural contest and the winning design will be painted in Oak Park’s downtown.

White was born in Oak Park in 1922, but her family later moved to California. White spoke highly of Oak Park after leaving and often returned to the Illinois town years after she left to visit relatives.