Stagecoach Sunday set to ride into town Oct. 6; popular family event benefits Fallbrook Land Conservancy

FALLBROOK – Now in its 23rd year, Stagecoach Sunday is a fall tradition. It’s also the Fallbrook Land Conservancy’s biggest fundraiser. It will be held this year on Oct. 6 on the grounds of the historic Palomares House, 1815 South Stage Coach Lane in Fallbrook.

“It is a community-wide event,” said Gary Beeler, chairman of the conservancy’s board of directors and Stagecoach Sunday committee. “We are especially grateful for the support of our local merchants, the dedication of our volunteers, and the people of all ages who enjoy this great afternoon while supporting a good cause.”

The festivities begin at 1 p.m. with authentic stagecoach rides provided by G & F Carriages, live music by the Stonehouse Band, a beer-and-wine garden, and a silent auction and raffle. Starting at 2 p.m., a barbeque dinner catered by Major Market will be served offering tri-tip sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans and brownies.

The biggest draw is the silent auction and raffle, said Linda Promack, auction chair. This year, visitors can bid on one-of-a-kind handicrafts, jewelry and artwork, along with such diverse items as an owl nesting box, a native plant starter kit, a tour by plane of Fallbrook, and a docent-led hike of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. There are also several golf and other sports and fitness packages, tickets to San Diego attractions, and coupons from local restaurants and businesses.

Free to the public are several wildlife attractions that include a falconry demonstration by Dave Morgan; an exhibit of several snake species native to the area by Steve Bledsoe of the American Herpetological Association; and, new this year, a bat exhibit by Cynthia Myers.

Children can kick off the fall season with fun activities such as game booths with prizes, face painting, pumpkin decorating and a “Guess the Pumpkin’s Weight” contest.

Admission to Stagecoach Sunday is free. Cost of the dinner is $10/adults, $5/children, with several dinner, drink and raffle ticket packages available. The Caballero Package, for example, costs $60 and includes two dinner tickets, four $1 drink tickets, six raffle tickets and an annual family membership to the FLC (a $35 value).

Purchase tickets early by calling the FLC at (760) 728-0889, email [email protected] or visit http://www.fallbrooklandconservancy.org.

Proceeds from the event support the work of the conservancy, which is a private, nonprofit organization that owns and manages 2,025 acres of permanently protected open space in the greater Fallbrook community, including the popular Los Jilgueros and Monserate Mountain preserves.