Hot Summer Nights to heat the streets!

It was a rather chilly debut for Hot Summer Nights on Friday, May 25, and no doubt that was the reason for the light crowds, but everyone who attended seemed to be enjoying the food, entertainment and display of vintage cars.

Hits from yesteryear boomed from large speakers set up in the middle of Village Square as music from Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz inspired some to dance. Tantalizing scents of roasting meat drew crowds to the food booth run by Sweet Leilani’s. Fallbrook Vintage Car Club members had cars lined up on both sides of Main, and young members of the Grange group offered a small petting zoo.

The most colorful event was the dance exhibition by Ballet Folklorico. This group, which offers opportunities for youth to perform traditional Mexican dances, has been in existence since 1999. The dance troupe practices twice a week and performs their routines to recorded mariachi music.

The girls in the group wear several costumes depending on the dance performed. One costume is intricately stitched with colorful thread in a bloom of festive flowers. These dresses were purchased in Guadalajara, Mexico. The detail is amazing!

As the mariachi music filled the air the girls twirled and whirled their dresses in a flurry of color. Their shoes tapped the ground in unison. In dances such as the traditional Jarabe Tapatío, or the Mexican Hat Dance, hatted and suited young men were able to join in. The dancers continued to entertain a fascinated audience with what seemed like boundless energy, clicking their heels and clapping their hands.

Fallbrook’s Connections Networking Group is again sponsoring this summer series of block parties on Main in downtown Fallbrook, so if you missed this one, don’t fret; there are six more left, beginning with June 8’s sports car-themed event.

Fallbrook’s Hot Summer Nights

June 8 – Sports Cars – Music by Aunt Kizzy’z Boyz and Sugar Ray

June 29 – Western Nights/BBQ – Music by Hillbilly Noise

July 13 – Off-road, Military and Race Cars – Music by LastoneDone

July 27 – Taste of Fallbrook – Music by Larry Robinson and his band

August 10 – Woodies and Wagons – Woodies music

August 31 – Chili Contest – Music by Ruthless Cowboys Band

Admission to Hot Summer Nights is free. Each begins at 5 p.m. and continues until sundown.