Fiesta Day 2014 crowd by BB

BY

Fiesta Day is just one week away! The weather hasn’t been been very inspiring leading up to this year’s event, but Fiesta Day traditionally marks the beginning of summer fun in Canyon Lake. Those new to the neighborhood will want to save the day for this most iconic of community events.

Residents will want to plan ahead for street closures that will take place on the morning of the parade, especially if they are expecting guests from out of town. Affected streets will close at 8:30 a.m. These include Canyon Lake Dr., from Village Way to Sloop, as well as Canyon Club and Lighthouse Drives. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Canyon Lake Dr. and Yellow Feather, and travel toward the Lodge. Only pre-registered parade entries will be permitted in the parade.

This year’s theme is “Fiesta Under the Big Top,” and the Fiesta Day Committee has gone all out to give it a circus feel while still retaining what everyone loves most: a day under the sun, on the lake, with plenty of food, entertainment, vendors and cheer.

Residents will want to plan ahead for street closures that will take place on the morning of the Fiesta Day Parade next Saturday, May 23, especially if they are expecting guests from out of town. Photo by Bert Barbay.

After the parade, head to the Lodge grounds and Sunset Beach, where the “Main Event” will include more than 100 vendors selling food, merchandise and services, along with DJ music and a variety of entertainment acts under the Big Top and roving throughout the grounds. There will be a Kid Zone with giant bounce houses and prize drawings, not to mention the always exciting Cardboard Boat Challenge and thrilling Ski Show.

The day begins with families and friends lining the parade route on Canyon Lake Dr. North and Canyon Club Dr. as dignitaries, clubs, organizations and businesses parade past on everything from convertibles and bicycles to golf carts and towed boats and trailers. Candy is usually in great supply, so kids will want to bring a bag for collecting it as it’s thrown from passing cars.

Those who are in the parade love seeing the big smiles and crazy costumes and signs spectators bring, so residents should start thinking now about how they can attract some attention – especially from the photographers.

Some of the dignitaries who will be seen at the beginning of the parade are Grand Marshals Art and Dee Zasio, City Council members, POA Board members, City Manager and General Manager, and all those who received community awards. These include Citizen of the Year LaRue McNamara, Volunteers of the Year Mike Shroyer and Jill Batinich, Student of the Year Justin Silva, Organizations of the Year Fiesta Day Committee and Jr. Women’s Club, and Businesses of the Year Canyon Lake Med Spa and The Cup Above.

The only ones who can enter the parade at the last minute will be participants who want to decorate a bicycle for the Bicycle Decorating Contest and veterans who want to decorate a golf cart for the Veterans Brigade. Both will need to check in at designated stations prior to the parade to sign a waiver.

Fiesta Under the Big Top’ Schedule

PARADE

• 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

MAIN EVENT

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

OPENING CEREMONIES

• 10 a.m. – Invocation – Pastor Pete VanDyke
• 10:05 a.m. – EHS Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard
• 10:10 a.m. – Pledge of Allegiance, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
• 10:15 a.m. – National Anthem, Sierra Stack
• 10:20 a.m. – Announcements and Introduction of Sponsors, Dignitaries and Veterans

INSIDE STAGE

• 11 a.m. – Circus Acts, Canyon Lake Community Theatre
• 11:30 a.m. – Dance Performance, JDI Dance Co
• 12:30 a.m. – Choral Presentation, Canyon Lake Choraleers

KID ZONE

• 12 p.m. – Kid Zone Raffle
• 3 p.m. – Kid Zone Raffle
• 1 to 4 p.m. – Balloon Artist

UNDER THE BIG TOP

• 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. – Magic Show, Amazing Dana
• 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Circus Show
• 12 to 12:30 p.m. – Music and Dancing, DJ Mike Shroyer
• 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. – Reptile Show
• 1:30 to 2 p.m. – Circus Show
• 2 to 4 p.m. – Music and Dancing, DJ Mike Shroyer

SUNSET BEACH

• 10:30 to 10:45 a.m. – Decorated Bike Contest
• 12 to 1 p.m. – Cardboard Boat Challenge
• 2 to 3 p.m. – Ski and Wake Board Show

GENERAL OUTSIDE

• 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Roaming Circus Act
• 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Roaming Circus Act

FIESTA COMMITTEE BOOTH

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – High Striker Game
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Human Gyroscope
• 12 to 3 p.m. – Face Painting
• 12 to 3 p.m. – Balloon Artist

Fiesta Day Contests

Although it would be helpful for organizers and save time for participants to register ahead of time with forms provided at www.canyonlakepoa.com, last-minute participation will be acceptable in two Fiesta Day Contests:

• The Bicycle Decorating Contest has two categories: “Youth 12 and Younger” and “Adult 13 and Older.” Winners in each category will receive $25 and a 1st place ribbon; 2nd and 3rd place ribbons also will be awarded. This contest is sponsored by ShowCal Skiers.
• The Cardboard Boat Challenge also will have two categories for which prizes will be awarded: “Youth 12 and Younger” and “Adult 13 and Older.” Boats must be made of corrugated cardboard and duct tape only. Prohibited construction and/or decorating materials include wax-coated cardboard, glue, paint, markers, resin, epoxy, caulk, sealers, metal, plastic, wood, foil, pipes, foam, floats, tubes, tires, balloons, compressed gas, etc. There are more rules like this on the application form. Pre-registration is recommended. The application form is available on the POA website. The entry fee is $5 per Youth Boat entry, $10 per Adult Boat entry.

Veterans invited to be in Fiesta Day Parade

Photo by Sharon Rice

There will be a Veterans Brigade in this year’s Fiesta Day Parade. Veterans are invited to ride in golf carts decorated in a patriotic theme and to place a sign on their carts indicating their name, branch of service and years of service.

Golf carts and golf cart drivers are needed to drive veterans in the parade. To register as a veteran, to volunteer to drive a cart or to learn where to meet on the parade route, call Dave Harrigan at 951-746-3460.