Stagecoach Sunday kicks off fall festivities, Oct. 6

FALLBROOK – Stagecoach Sunday will once again roll into town as the Fallbrook Land Conservancy celebrates its 31st year Sunday, Oct. 6, at the historic Palomares House and Park in Fallbrook.

"I'm really excited for this year's Stagecoach Sunday," Ashley Stein-Araiza, event chair and member of the FLC's board of directors, said. "Members have been working together to make this another fantastic fundraiser. We're looking forward to a big turnout."

The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., with the biggest draw a silent auction and raffle, which features more than a dozen golf and other sports packages, tickets to Disneyland, Magic Mountain and other attractions, coupons from local businesses, jewelry, handicrafts, artwork and a variety of other items.

Throughout the afternoon, visitors can also enjoy horse-drawn stagecoach rides hosted by G&F Carriages, live music performed by Highland Way and a "saloon" with beer crafted by locally owned Prohibition Brewing Company.

Winners of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy's second annual "Go Wild" photo contest will also be announced at the event. Categories include birds, habitat, scenic, family, dogs, plants and animals. Photo contest entries must include the official entry form available on the Fallbrook Land Conservancy's website. Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday, Sept. 20.

Firehouse Que and Brew, a popular local eatery, will serve a barbecue lunch starting at 11 a.m. The menu includes slow-cooked chicken and ribs, corn and beans, with brownies for dessert. Cost of the lunch is $15 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under.

Firehouse, which is located on Main Avenue in downtown Fallbrook, is among several members of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy's Village Green program, which help raise funds for the conservancy at their business locations throughout the year.

During Stagecoach Sunday, Palomares Park will also house several nature exhibits, including presentations of various animal species by Pacific Animal Productions and a bat booth hosted by Cynthia Myers of Project Wildlife. Jeff Nordland of the North American Herpetological Association will also be on hand with several species of snakes native to this area.

Other hands-on activities for children will be offered in a Kids Corral. At a cost of $20, a Kids Corral Pass includes a child's lunch and drink, with unlimited carnival games, crafts, face painting, a take-home plant project and cowboy hat while supplies last. Pumpkin decorating is also offered for a fee of $3.

"Stagecoach Sunday is not only a wonderful community event, but vital to the mission of the FLC," Susan Liebes, chairman of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy's board of directors, said. "We couldn't continue our land conservation and environmental education work without the help of our members and local businesses."

Over the years, hundreds of volunteers have been essential to the success of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy's various outreach programs, including Save Our Forest, the Native Plant Restoration Team, Trails Committee and Village Green. Between individual, business and corporate donations, combined with monies raised at Stagecoach Sunday, the Fallbrook Land Conservancy generates some $100,000 annually, which helps to cover basic operating expenses, according to Karla Standridge, the conservancy's executive director.

To pre-order tickets, enter the photo contest, or for more information, visit http://www.fallbrooklandconservancy.org or call (760) 728-0889.

Submitted by Fallbrook Land Conservancy.