Fiesta Day is tomorrow!

BY

Thousands of residents and their guests will line the streets on Saturday morning for Canyon Lake’s 45th annual Fiesta Day Parade. Fiesta Day is a beloved tradition and considered to be the granddaddy of all Canyon Lake events, drawing more than 5,000 people annually.

This year’s theme, “Cheers to 50 Years,” celebrates the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association’s 50th anniversary. This year’s festivities have been planned with this theme in mind.

Fiesta Day runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and begins with families and friends lining the parade route as dignitaries, clubs, organizations and businesses parade past on everything from convertibles and bicycles to golf carts and towed boats and trailers.

Parade participants throwing candy to spectators is a Fiesta Day tradition, so kids will want to bring a bag for collecting the candy as it’s thrown from passing vehicles.

One “Best Dressed” float will be awarded $100.

Road Closures

Residents will want to plan ahead for street closures on the morning of the parade, especially those expecting guests. Canyon Lake Drive North from Village Way Drive to Steel Head Drive, Canyon Club Drive, Lighthouse Drive and Vacation Drive east of Lighthouse Drive and will close for the parade at 8:30 a.m. There will be no parking on these streets starting at 6 a.m.

There will be no exceptions after the streets close, police and Community Patrol will stop all traffic.

New Parade Route

The Fiesta Day Committee would like to remind residents that there is a new parade route this year due to safety regulations mandated by CALFIRE. The new route will begin at Mayflower Drive and Canyon Lake Drive North at approximately 9 a.m.

The parade will make its way down Canyon Lake Drive North and turn right onto Vacation Drive. The parade announcements, emceed by Mike Shroyer of Good Time Entertainment, will take place at this intersection. From Vacation Drive, the parade will make its way to its end point at Lighthouse Drive.

With the new parade route this year, there will be new staging areas for those in the parade. Parade participants will be assigned to one of four staging areas: Spray Drive, Smugglers Point Drive, Sloop Drive or Clearwater Drive. Line up starts at 7 a.m.

Grand Marshal

The Fiesta Day Committee named Joanna Spiller as this year’s Fiesta Day Grand Marshal. Joanna, a full-time Canyon Lake resident since 1988, is a former 15-year member of the committee and an active volunteer in the community. In addition to her volunteer work in Canyon Lake, Joanna is involved with Honor Flight Southland, an organization that escorts veterans on trips to Washington D.C.

Veterans Brigade

Veterans are invited to participate in the Fiesta Day Parade. Relatives and friends of veterans who are unable to participate are welcome to join the Veterans Brigade in honor of their loved one. Those who wish to participate are asked to decorate a golf cart with patriotic decorations and add a sign to the front of the cart that includes the veteran’s name, branch of service and years of service. To sign up, contact Dave Harrigan at 951-746-3460.

After the Parade

After the parade, the fiesta continues on the grounds of the lodge where there will be a host of activities, entertainment and food.

Shuttle Service

Since there will be no parking in the event area this year, parking will be available on a first-come basis on Canyon Club Drive, Lighthouse Drive and Vacation Drive after the parade has ended at approximately 10:30 a.m.

There will be complimentary golf cart shuttle service from 6 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. for those who park on surrounding streets. Golf cart shuttles will be making a continuous loop around Canyon Club Drive, Vacation Drive and Lighthouse Drive. Shuttles will drop off event-goers at the entrance of the event. Shuttles are not permitted to go into the event area.

There will also be three bus shuttles running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with pick ups and drop offs at East Port Park, Sierra Park and Gault Field, and Holiday Harbor Park and Blue Bird Hall.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the free shuttle service to help alleviate traffic congestion throughout the community.

Handicap Parking

There will be 23 designated handicap parking spots at the Holiday Harbor parking lot along with a wheelchair accessible shuttle bus. The shuttle will drop off riders at the corner of Canyon Club Drive and Lighthouse Drive.

Main Stage Festivities

The festivities at the lodge begin with morning announcements at the main stage area in front of the lodge. There will be an invocation by resident pastor, Pete Van Dyke, a presentation of colors by Elsinore High ROTC, Pledge of Allegiance led by Cub Scouts Pack 346, National Anthem by Makenna Diegelma and announcements of sponsors and dignitaries.

Live Entertainment

The Trip Band, a high energy cover rock band, will perform hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s, will perform at the main stage area from 10:30 to 3 p.m. One Guy and a Chick will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the entrance of the parking lot.

Beach Activities

Beach activities include a ski show performed by the Show Cal Skiers from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the main lake, a 250-feet zip line at Sunset Beach, coconut tree climbing and a balloon artist.

Kids Zone

The Kids Zone will be stationed near the main entrance and will feature activities for kids from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include carnival rides, giant inflatable slide and obstacle course, dunk tank and raffle prizes. Wristbands will be sold at the Kids Zone.

Indoor Activities

Indoor activities will be held in the Holiday Bay Room and will feature Chazz the Magician from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., a Reptile Show featuring a variety of exotic animals from 12 to 1:30 p.m. and the History of Canyon Lake Museum, hosted by the Menifee Historical Museum and Canyon Lake pioneer Elinor Martin. Elinor’s family, the Evans family, leased the concession from the Temescal Water Company from 1937 to 1968 when the lake and land were turned into a private community.

POA Booth

Don’t forget to stop by the POA booth for a free 50-year celebration boat float and a chance to win a 55-inch HD TV. Visitors to the booth will also find custom 50-year anniversary merchandise for sale. Items include shirts, cups and koozies, to name a few.

Black Out Bingo

New this year is Black Out Bingo. The game involves visiting vendor booths to get stamps. The first place winner will be awarded $100, second place $75, third place $50 and fourth place $25. The winner must be present to win. Bingo cards are available at the Fiesta Day booth.

Other Activities

At the main entrance near the tennis courts will be a caricature artist from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a fun vintage VW Bus photo booth. Tickets for the caricature artist are available at the Fiesta Day booth.

Food and Drinks

Food concession stands will be set up around the circle at the lodge, offering In-N-Out Burgers, pizza, hot dogs and chili, pulled pork and coleslaw, brats, tacos and beans, hamburgers, funnel cakes, hash browns, ice cream, Italian ice, kettle corn and snow cones. Drinks include water, tea, lemonade and soft drinks. There will also be an iVibe coffee truck offering a variety of coffee drinks.

The lodge will have two outside pop-up bars offering margaritas and other adult beverages. Adult beverages will also be sold at the bar inside the lodge. The Lighthouse Restaurant will be closed.

Vendors

In addition to 15 food booths, there will be 96 vendor booths offering merchandise and services.

ATM Machines

The ATM machine is located inside the lodge. In past year’s, the lines have been long, so event-goers are encouraged to bring cash to the event.

Fiesta Day Committee

Fiesta Day would not be possible without the dedicated members of the Fiesta Day Committee who start planning for this community-wide event in January.

Members of the committee are as follows:

• Joe Grasso, Chairperson and Kids Zone/Activity Rental Coordinator
• LaRue McNamara, Secretary
• Roanne Grasso, Treasurer
• Mike Shroyer, Entertainment Coordinator
• Lyne Hall, Parade Coordinator
• Jude Donahue, Booth Coordinator
• Canyon Lake POA Staff Liaisons:
• Carrie Pratt, Senior Activities Manager
• Valerie Grillo, Pool Manager & Activities Admin.
• Samantha Bell, Activities Specialist

Volunteers

• Roberta Ehlers
• Sue Collins

For more information visit website at canyonlakefiestaday.org.