Roughly 3,000 people – about 1,200 more than last year – attended the city’s 3rd annual Founders Day Fair Saturday at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.
The warm weather certainly was not a deterrent, as folks from Aliso Viejo and beyond attended the vivid community celebration that featured rock climbing, a BMX bike show, hula hoop contest and much more at the 7-acre city-owned ranch.
Founders Day Fair blended Americana style – with a watermelon-eating contest, bounce house, cake walk, gunny-sack races and more – with illustrations of early California life in Aliso Viejo through blacksmithing, adobe brick and rope making, panning for gold and grinding corn for cornmeal.
City officials say increased participation from community groups, organizations and non-profits helped to make this year’s event such a huge success.
The ranch site was dotted with 47 booths – offering appetizing food, ample activities, entertainment and information. More than 100 volunteers signed on for the six-hour event that included tasty grub dished up by Cosmo’s Italian Kitchen, Daphne’s Greek Cafe, Pop N’Mama’s Smoothies, and The Neighborhood Cup. The South County Teen Center served buttered corn-on-the-cob from Chili’s Bar and Grill.
Saturday’s fair featured refreshments, activities and games provided by several community groups including AYSO Region 889; Girl Scouts Troops 408 & 1234; Boy Scouts Troop 700; Cub Scouts Pack 751; YMCA; Community Alliance Network; OC Sheriff’s Explorers; ANHS Drill Team; Sweet P’s Cupcakes; Boys & Girls Club, Aliso Viejo Girls Softball; and Savannah’s Organic Ranch, which hosted a popular puppet show.
The BMX Bike Show by Team Soil was a hit with teens and folks of all ages – as was the rock climbing wall, which challenged endurance levels and skills. The City’s first hotel, Renaissance ClubSport, hosted good old -fashioned games and a fierce tug-o-war, which brought out the competitive side in many. With their hair pulled back, arms snug behind their backs and faces pointed down, contestants ate fast and furiously during the messy watermelon-eating contest hosted by Patriots Federal Credit Union.
Cal Experience gave visitors a taste of early California years with gold panning, rope making and a blacksmith demonstration. Keeping in step with the ranch’s history, the Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) sponsored an informative historical display, while Western Antique Power Associates’ historical stationary engines and antique equipment – including an antique corn grinder – demonstrated how the country evolved from an agrarian to an industrial society. Kids enjoyed pony rides and a barnyard animal petting zoo, as Travis Wheeland strummed his guitar entertaining the masses. Water Wars West kept folks cool with its popular water-balloon launch.
Adults wanting to take a break from the action, saddled up to the Saloon, hosted by the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Stadium Brewing Company.
Orange County Fire Authority Station 57, Doctor’s Ambulance and South Coast Medical Group provided first aid kits and support for the event.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department enhanced its display of “black and whites” with authentic Western cowboys on horseback. The Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Vector Control, Aliso Viejo Library, and the City’s Used Oil & Recycling and other city booths also participated.
City officials say they are grateful for the community’s support and participation in this year’s hometown gathering and look forward to an even larger event next year.
