Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Grand Tradition set to host Fourth of July celebration

The Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens will once again host Fallbrook's premier Independence Day party and this year's edition of the Fourth of July celebration will feature continuous live music, beer and wine tasting, delicious food options, games and activities for kids, a chance to win a truck with a flying duck, and, of course, a tremendous fireworks display.

The Fourth of July event kicks off the Grand Tradition's Signature Series, which also includes Jazz and Wine Festivals on Aug. 27 (Mindi Abair will be the headliner) and Sept. 27 (Sheila E. will take center stage). All three events will benefit the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance.

"This is our 12th year of the event," said Don McDougal, CEO of the Grand Tradition. "Last year we took over the management of the event from the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance and made them our charity partner. The reason we did that is we felt that we could control an event much better by managing it ourselves than having an outsider manage it. And people that come here recognize it’s the Grand Tradition, and if we’re not managing the event and something isn’

t to a standard we like, it reflects on our brand. And, that's our business – special events."

Members of The Fallbrook Beautification Alliance will help out at the Independence Day party as well as at the two Jazz and Wine Festivals.

"They’re going to furnish volunteers to help us at all three events and for that they’ll get roughly $30,000 in contributions from the events as a charity partner," said McDougal.

McDougal said people attending this year's event will notice some changes.

"This year we are moving our stage and we’re including an actual concert as part of the event," said McDougal. "We’ve always had music, but it hasn’t been a concert. The stage is going to be in the northeast corner of the property, so everyone will move out to that area at the end of the night for the concert and the fireworks."

Performing on the main stage will be the Jeanette Harris Band followed by The Heroes Band. Prior to the concerts on the main stage, Len Rainey & The Midnight Players will perform at the Orchid Bar, and Jerome Dawson and Wazabe Blue will entertain in the "Ballast Point Pavilion."

"The pavilion will be 'The Ballast Point Pavilion' on July 4," said Robyn Foreman, special events manager for the Grand Tradition. "Ballast Point will offer beer tasting, and for wine drinkers, Fallbrook Winery will present wine tasting in Compass Garden."

Foreman said several Fallbrook restaurants, as well as the Grand Tradition's Veranda restaurant, will provide guests with a bevy of food options, from Fourth of July staples such as hamburgers and hot dogs, to street tacos, pizza, barbecue, salads, sandwiches and wraps. For dessert, The Baked Bear will be on hand to make customized ice cream sandwiches.

Kids will have no trouble working up an appetite as the Grand Tradition has scheduled many activities for the youngsters.

"The children’s area has been moved up closer to the mansion around the lake," said McDougal. "It was just getting too congested and this kind of spreads it out more. We contracted out with a company to do the children’s games so that we have a higher caliber of activities for the children. So there will be lot of games for kids."

Foreman added that activities include "a spinning waterwheel at the edge of the lake, and giant obstacle courses."

The "Launch a Firequacker" competition, in which a person can win a Toyota Tundra, will debut this year.

"We have a giant slingshot from which you launch a rubber duck over the lake," said McDougal. "There’s a floating target, and if you hit the target and get the bullseye, you win a free Toyota Tundra pickup. If you get in the outside ring, there will be other prizes. You only get one shot, and it’s $10 per shot."

Foreman has her own slogan for the new contest: "Ten bucks, one duck, to win a Toyota truck.”

The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m., following the concerts.

"The theme of this year's show is 'An American Salute,'" said Foreman, who added that the show will be put on by Pyro Spectaculars.

"The neat thing is the firework show is choreographed to music, so it really has a patriotic feel," said McDougal. "If you don’t get chills during the show, something's wrong."

The Grand Tradition also has a new starting time for its Fourth of July party.

"This year we are opening at 4 o’clock," said McDougal. "Last year we opened at 2 o’clock. We moved that back because it was just too long a day. So we think that will be an enhancement."

General admission tickets are available for $25 if purchased in advance of the show. The cost will be $35 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased through the Grand Tradition's web site, http://www.grandtradition.com, or from members of the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance. Kids age 10 and under are admitted free, and parking is also free.

The Grand Tradition is also offering special seating options and a VIP dinner package. For more information, visit http://www.grandtradition.com or call (760) 728-6466.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/19/2024 23:04