July 4 event plans move forward

A strategic planning meeting held June 8 for the seventh annual Fourth of July celebration hosted by the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance (FBA) moved plans forward for the 2011 community celebration, although concern over its future viability is in the forefront of organizers’ minds.

“This will be a make-or-break year for the [July 4] event,” said Mary Jo Bacik of the FBA. The event, officially known as Fallbrook’s Grand Tradition Fourth, is the only fundraiser held each year for the local organization.

Bacik explained that the two largest contributors to the annual event have discontinued their support this year, and unless ticket sales provide enough of a profit margin in the end for the organization, it won’t be worth the effort to hold it in the future, due to the high cost of providing the fireworks show.

“Normally, between the County of San Diego and the Ingold Family, we had $20,000 in support to help defray costs,” said Bacik, who added that the FBA needs to net “about $30,000” to sustain its annual mission of providing a variety of beautification efforts to the community.

The funds raised at the event each year have allowed the FBA to maintain and constantly refresh the flower beds in the South Mission Road medians and numerous large flower pots in the historic downtown area. In addition, is has provided the supplies necessary to provide a graffiti removal service in the community.

“We receive over 130 calls per year to remove graffiti,” said Bacik. The funds raised by the group are used for the materials needed to accomplish the work.

“The labor is provided by our volunteers,” said Bacik.

This year’s July 4 event, according to Grand Tradition CEO and FBA supporter Don McDougal, will be “almost identical to last year.”

“We expect about the same number of people as last year, about 2,000” said McDougal.

McDougal said as a way of cutting cost, the fireworks show has been reduced from 18 minutes to 16 minutes for this year’s event.

“If ticket sales are greater than last year, we may be able to restore that other two minutes to the show,” said McDougal.

The event will once again include the Quack Up Cup – a “rubber ducky” race in which community members can donate $5 to adopt a duck that will compete in a water-powered race across the heart-shaped lake of the Grand Tradition. Multiple ducks can be purchased at a savings. Prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place.

The high-energy rubber raft races will also be featured at the event again this year, with a lower entrance fee for participants.

“Those wishing to participate will pay only $10 each,” said McDougal. Raft teams are comprised of four people, so participants can form their own team or join up with others at the site to comprise a team.

Carnival-style games will once again be offered for children as well as face painting and the opportunity to enjoy bounce houses.

The entry fee to the event includes ten tickets for each adult and five tickets for each child which can be used for numerous food and beverage choices that include dinner plates, burgers, hotdogs, barbecue sandwiches, pizza, snacks, treats, and sweets.

Lively music will be provided at the event by The Corvettes, known for their surf-style music reminiscent of the 60s. The Fourth of July celebration wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to the military and patriotic theme.

Tickets to the event have been priced at $35 this year, if purchased in advance. Those purchased at the door will be $40. Ticket prices for adults have increased $10 this year, but now include parking, which used to be charged in addition. Children’s tickets, for those ages 6-12, remain the same as last year, at $10 each. Reserved tables for 10 on the lawn are still available at $750 (includes 100 food/beverage/booth tickets).

At the planning session, Fire Marshal Sid Morel commented that he hopes that moderate weather conditions preside the day of the event.

“We don’t want it too be too hot and dry of a day [for a fireworks show],” said Morel, who said North County Fire will be on hand to provide a First Aid station at the event.

Fallbrook’s Grand Tradition Fourth begins at 4 p.m., and concludes at approximately 9 p.m. or when the fireworks show ends. No one will be admitted inside the grounds after 8 p.m.

Those attending the event are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and encouraged to bring sunscreen and/or hats. Food, beverages, umbrellas, and pets are not allowed to be brought in.

Parking will be available in the parking lot of the Grand Tradition and after full, people will be directed to the empty lot at the corner of South Mission Road and Peppertree Lane. Parking on side streets in the vicinity will be prohibited in some cases to allow for adequate ingress and egress for emergency vehicles.

Tickets for the event are available at http://www.fallbrookbeautification.org or the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce.

To comment on this story online, visit http://www.thevillagenews.com.