"Fallbrook After the Ashes" Street Fair Fundraiser Nov. 18 - Community members join together to benefit those most affected by t

Over the last couple weeks a growing group of residents, downtown merchants, business people, and the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce have responded to the great loss in our community by planning a Street Fair to raise money for those most severly affected by the Fallbrook (Rice Fire).

The event, “Fallbrook After the Ashes,” will take place Sunday, November 18, from noon to 4 p.m. The target goal is to raise $100,000. The funds will be managed by Legacy Endowment of Fallbrook and a group of community members are working with Legacy to determine how the funds will be distributed.

An estimated $30,000 has already been raised in cash and physical donations. Brenda Giblin of JJ “Purty” Landers Irish Pub and Dave Fenn from Chattels have taken the lead and have held several community meetings at the Village News office. Fallbrook Firefighters have also expressed their willingness to be involved and help with the event. and the Fallbrook Chamber has helped greatly with logistics such as getting permits.

Already in place are several local live bands, food concessions, beer garden, wine tasting, booth rentals for businesses, live and silent auctions, big ticket raffles, children’s area with jumpers, face painting and games. There will be a cut-a-thon and relaxation zone, where you can receive a haircut or a massage while hopefully having your dog groomed at the same time.

The group has also received a commitment from Sue Kirby to speak, who has an Erma Bombeck approach to life with a lifting and enlightening message.

Over 200 homes were lost and half of them were in a quaint mobile home park tucked under the oak trees near Live Oak park. Many of the residents of this park were on fixed incomes and/or were under-insured. The entire town of Fallbrook was evacuated and locked out for days by this disaster; businesses were closed and are now struggling to regain their momentum for the holidays.Thousands of people in Fallbrook were affected by this disaster and the community has joined together to help with the recovery.

The group is still seeking volunteers to help before the event and the day of the event; a celebrity that could help draw attention to the event; the help of multiple news and media networks to help get the word out and broadcast from the event; corporate sponsorships; donations of items to be used for the silent auction, live auction and big ticket raffles; donations of foods, beverages and supplies that can be served at this event; donations of tables,chairs and staging; donations of print services for signs, banners and fliers, and volunteers.

Volunteers and interested parties can register by emailing [email protected] or contacting the Village News at 760-723-7319. Donations can also be dropped off at the Village News office at 127 W. Elder in Fallbrook, or at the Prudential Bonsall office in River Village.