Fiesta Days brings fun to Frazier Park
Bring the family to Frazier Park this weekend for the 56th annual Fiesta Days celebration.
For three days, the mountain community welcomes guests to celebrate with live music, log sawing and eating contests, a dunk tank, pancake breakfast, parade and much more.
This annual event is hosted by Mountain Memories Association, a nonprofit dedicated to the health and welfare of the mountain community that is also involved in the Holiday Faire & Fantasy of Lights Parade and Ridge Route Run Car Show.
One popular event for Fiesta Days is the Frank Thorpe Pancake Breakfast, which has been around since 1969, the second year of Fiesta Days.
Originally known as the VFW Pancake Breakfast, the more-recent name is in honor of Thorpe, a commander of VFW Post 9791 who is considered the "founding father" of the breakfast.
Held Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m. and Sunday from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Frazier Mountain Park Community Hall, the $12 meal includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, and your choice of drink, with all proceeds supporting the VFW. Veterans can enjoy a free meal with proof of service.
The Dale Hansen & Ed Perine Memorial Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. Saturday on Mount Pinos Way, is also a big draw.
Julia Casebolt is set to perform the national anthem and the local VFW Post 9791 Color Guard will ceremoniously kick off the parade.
Jackie Ryan, the 2023 honorary sheriff, will announce the entries as they pass including a tribute to dedicated emergency personnel, floats and decorated vehicles, dance performances and majestic horses.
The 2024 honorary mayor Mel Weinstein, honorary sheriff Rhonda Igo and grand marshal Elisa Christensen will officiate over the awards that will be presented at 11:45 a.m.
Much of the activity will be in the Family Stage and Center Tent areas.
On Friday, it will host a diaper derby and egg and spoon races.
Author and Fiesta Days grand marshal Elisa Christensen will later offer a poetry performance.
The pet show, featuring a menagerie of animals will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Afterward, there will be a family bingo event.
Saturday starts with Mountain Zumba with Aurora from 10 to 11 a.m.
Afterward, enjoy some dog safety education with Cindy Hollaway from 11 a.m. to noon.
Bring your appetite to the watermelon- and pie-eating contests from noon to 1 p.m.
Afternoon fun continues with a water balloon toss, sack race and tug of war.
The musician Gavin will perform from 3 to 4 p.m. followed by the new spider obstacle course for kids from 4 to 5 p.m.
Festivities will also include kids pinata parties, one for those 6 and younger and another for ages 7 and older, on Saturday and Sunday.
Kids can also have an exhilarating experience courtesy of Schoeppner Shows, which will again bring its carnival to town.
Attractions scheduled to appear include Antique Cars, Berry-Go-Round, Heart Flip, Hustler, Loop O Plane, Round Up and Swinger along with midway games.
Prepare to be entertained with performances by the Mountain Mafia Band, Mile High Theater and a family dance party with DJ Catacombs to end the night.
Kick off Sunday with another poetry performance by Christensen from 10 to 11 a.m.
A Focus Central keyboard and piano recital will be held from 11 a.m. to noon.
The George Erb and Brian Prosser log sawing contest will take place from noon to 2 p.m. followed by another set by Gavin from 2 to 3 p.m.
Over at the Dining Pavilion, live entertainment is on tap all weekend.
Friday's lineup includes Petra Van De Hay & Friends, the Mile High Band, Wynd Song and Cary Park Band.
On Saturday, Bandit, Haven, Renegades (formerly ATU) and Driver will play.
The schedule for Sunday features Journey in Time and Pam & Walt.
A dunk tank, targeting well-known residents, will be held all three days with a rotating lineup of beneficiaries.
Gorman Science Camp will benefit early Friday afternoon when chef Lori Escobar-Porter of My Mother & Me Cafe & Catering and Rhonda Igo, Fiesta Days' honorary sheriff, take turns in the tank. Those who dunk Chef Lori will get a coupon for her business.
The Gorman School FFA takes over later that day when Jackie Ryan of the El Tejon PTSO and former Fiesta Days sheriff, Monee McClure of Frazier Mountain Little League, Kids’ Corner volunteer Deya Parker, Gorman staff volunteers
On Saturday, El Tejon Middle School FFA and Girl Scouts will benefit as attendees try to dunk Carley Rabun of Frazier Mountain Little League and Mile High Band member Mark McClure
Kurt Bailey of Black Sheep Hauling & Removal, Neeko Christensen of C Bros at Your Service, Army veteran Ian Sawrey and Nigel Sawrey of Pine Mountain Club face the tank later in the day to benefit the Gorman Afterschool Program.
Frazier Mountain High School FFA will benefit from the tank dunking on Sunday with Mountain Memories Association president Wade Jones, Honorary Sheriff Rhonda Igo and Kids’ Corner volunteers Chyenne Bailey and Max Chupino taking turns in the hot seat.
Of course there will be plenty to snack on from a variety of food vendors including Semper Fries, Tasty Creations, Southern Kern County Search & Rescue, Mee Maw & Pee Paw, S&B First Cook, Kona Ice, Danny's Lemonade, Raw Dawgs, Sophia's Kitchen, Snowie Ice and Tacos Chewi.
Informational booths for Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, Mountain Communities Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) , Fort Tejon State Historic Park, U.S. Department of Agriculture/United States Forest Service and California Highway Patrol will be present.
The event will feature other vendors such as Kern River Knives, Mrs. B's Beeswax Wraps, Bell Boujee Brims, Red Door Creations, Hillbilly Flannel Co., Espirit de Corps Flag Co., Beauty by Mrs. Cindy, Joyful Ranch and many more.
Visit mountainmemories.org/fiesta-days for a complete schedule.