"Meet you at the Mall's Balls!"
Before mobile phones, DMs and emails there was only one way to find your friends in the city – a pre-arranged rendezvous at Bert Flugelman's iconic spherical sculpture.
And while Victoria Square might be the geographical centre of Adelaide, everyone knows that the capital's beating heart is located a few hundred metres further north.
When the western end of Rundle Street officially became Rundle Mall on 1 September 1976 it also became Australia's first purpose-built pedestrian mall.
Over the past five decades it's become woven into the everyday lives of generations of South Australians.
Who can forget lunch at a department store cafeteria or visiting Father Christmas at the Magic Cave?
Or UK pop star Boy George standing atop the Mall's escalator telling thousands of fans to just be themselves, before performing an a cappella version of Karma Chameleon (below)?
"To arrive in Australia and have that crazy Beatlemania-type thing happen was just insane, and it got bigger and bigger everywhere we went. It was very exciting at the time. It was an adventure," George "Boy George" O'Dowd said.
Or even John Farnham's spectacular 1984 TV ad campaign (pictured)?
And let's not forget that day in 1999 when Horatio, Oliver, Truffles and Augusta – our much loved garbage-grazing pigs – were installed in the Mall.
It's also been a venue for sports fans to gather and show their appreciation, with homecoming parties for winnin
g teams in the AFL, AFLW, Sheffield Shield, Super Netball and more taking place on the Mall's pavers.
From Tuesday 1 September to Sunday 6 September, Rundle Mall will celebrate 50 years at the heart of Adelaide with a week-long program of entertainment, surprises and experiences for all ages, culminating in a spectacular parade through the city centre.
Across the week visitors can enjoy live music and DJs, a free carousel, a visual interactive display inviting people to stroll through Rundle Mall's 50-year history, free old-school photobooth photos, pop-up moments and surprise performances, birthday treats and giveaways, and the Prosecco Piazza bar by the fountain.
The celebrations are designed to bring people into the city, encourage them to spend time in Rundle Mall and be part of this major milestone.
On Friday 4 September from 5pm, a spectacular 50th Birthday Parade will take over the heart of Rundle Mall, transforming the precinct into an immersive moving celebration.
Led by artistic director Jo Cassan, the parade will travel through the Mall celebrating through music, movement and colour.
Andrew White, Executive Manager, Rundle Mall at Adelaide Economic Development Agency, said the 50th anniversary was a celebration of the people who have made the Mall what it is today.
"Over the past 50 years, Rundle Mall has welcomed millions of visitors, from South Australia, interstate and overseas, but what makes it special is the individual stories behind those numbers," Mr White said.
"It might be a first job, a family tradition, a memorable shopping trip, meeting friends at the Balls or simply spending an afternoon in the city. These are the everyday moments that have given Rundle Mall its character and made it such a familiar part of South Australian life.
"Our 50th birthday is a chance to bring everyone together and celebrate those memories, while creating plenty of new ones."
Adding a creative dimension to the celebrations, David Jones and Adelaide Central Plaza, in partnership with Rundle Mall, will also unveil Rundle Reflections – a free public exhibition celebrating 50 years of one of Adelaide's most iconic retail and cultural destinations.
For the full program and event details, see here (external site) .
