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Poway Knows How To Party

By Claudia Strasbaugh

Poway Days kicked into high gear this weekend beginning with the 46th annual Heritage Parade, comprising more then 100 entries including Grand Marshal TV personality Whitney Southwick. Then came the picnic, car show, battle of the bands and street fair.

New this year, the "Mickey Cafagna Bicycle Brigade" is open to children up to 10 years old showing off their decorated bicycles or scooters.

Poway Community Association president Sabrina Butler and parade chairman Heather Dugdale, along with other volunteers, have organized two parade entries - one new parade category was "Pet-Abulous Pet Parade," sponsored by the Poway News Chieftain managed by Katy at 858-218-7234 to enter.

A few political campaigners got in on the good times, Jeff Watts rode herd on a "Vote For Lutz" entry. More on that coming soon as elections draw nearer. Ray Lutz is proving himself a man for the people.

A "Old-Fashioned Picnic" came next at the Community Park, where nonprofit groups sold food and offered a wide variety of games and fun events for participants. Most of the proceeds raised through the sale of booth tickets will be returned to the nonprofit. Participants were costumed in Old Western and 1800s prairie-style wear.

Next came annual Motorhead Madness, a classic car show starting at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Poway Road where the Poway Rodeo Committee hosted "Battle of the Bands" that included Full Circle, Sidewinder, Mystery Train, the Michelle Ross Band and others. It was time for lots of dancing.

Sunday, the Poway Chamber of Commerce staged their second annual Poway Days Festival on Midland Road from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just a few of the fun events added were "Just for kids", a 'slime zone,' plus visiting critters from the San Diego Zoo, and crafts.

Highly visited due to its exciting history, Poway Community Church supervised an ice cream social with tours of its restored buildings, led by church women in period costumes who tutored on the history of the historical chapel there.

Additionally there was a melodrama performance "A Perplexing Puzzle for Miss Penelope's Pupils" at Poway's Community Theater.

COMING NEXT - GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY

Wednesday, Sept. 22 you can grab a dozen free roses at Four Seasons Flowers, or Crystal Gardens Florist to cheer up a friend, neighbor or co-worker during Good Neighbor Day.

BUT WAIT!! THERE'S MORE...

The 38th annual Poway Rodeo kicks in next weekend, performances start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, and another Saturday. Dances follow and are free to those over 21 years of age. Ticket information, http://www.powayrodeo.com.

Also on tap next weekend is the annual Pig-in-the-Pig Barbecue at the Poway Community Church, 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Poway Days started this weekend with "Rendezvous," two days of historical re-enactments at Old Poway Park. Celebrations end Saturday, Oct. 9 with the annual Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Train Song Festival and a "Railroad Movie Under the Stars" in Old Poway Park. Too much ongoing fun to miss!

Claudia Strasbaugh is a NewsBlaze and freelance writer who founded Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa Writer's Guild. See more of Claudia's work at Dinner on a Dollar