Grape Day Festival

By Kathie Zaccaria

The theme of this year’s Grape Day Festival and Parade is “It’s A Grape Big Wonderful World.” The free community celebration will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2011. With roots back to 1908, Grape Day is an opportunity to celebrate Escondido’s heritage, while also enjoying what the community offers today.

The day kicks off for the first time with a 5K fun run at 7:30 a.m. Then the whimsical parade will travel on Grand Avenue between Escondido Blvd and Juniper beginning at 9:30 a.m. The parade features dignitaries, equestrians, floats, marching groups, bands and antique automobiles.

The festival in Grape Day Park begins at 9:30 a.m and goes until 4 p.m. The free festival includes grape stomping, free grapes provided by Jimbo’s Naturally!, entertainment stage highlighting dances from around the world, demonstrations, vendor booths, fun zone, international food court, bake sale, History Center museum tours and more. Also new this year is a beer garden sponsored by Stone Brewing Co. Reigning over the festivities will be Grape Day Queen Greta Kertz, who is being honored for her many years of community service in Escondido.

Grape Day is sponsored in part by the County of San Diego at the request of Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, and the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians. For more information or directions to Grape Day Park contact the Escondido History Center at 760 743-8207 or visit them at www.escondidohistory.org.