Welcome to Rossmoor.
Walk its tree-lined sidewalks in the shade of the overhanging leaves and feel yourself step back in time to an era when Americans felt great and positive about the possibilities ahead. Along Rossmoor’s primly pruned paths and manicured lawns, dappled with neatly gardened flowerbeds, you might imagine Wally and the Beaver pop out of a front door, basketball in hand, heading to the park to meet Eddie Haskell.
There is a golden innocence about the unincorporated “island” of northwest Orange County that its residents hold dear and helps keep them fiercely independent and proud of their community.
This Sunday, the neighborhood of Rossmoor will celebrate itself as it has since it held the first Rossmoor Picnic in 1988. The Rossmoor Community Festival, which has grown into a major event in the west Orange County region, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rush Park, 3001 Blume Dr., in Rossmoor. Touted as “a fun day including live entertainment, good food, car show, dog parade, rides and games for children and many vendors providing information and offering items for sale,” the free admission event is expected to draw thousands this weekend to celebrate Rossmoor with a bevy of family fun activities.
Since its inception as a picnic, the Rossmoor Community Festival has brought neighbors and friends together under the sponsorship and cooperative effort of the Rossmoor Community Services District and the Rossmoor Homeowners Association.
“This year’s event will even be the best yet so be prepared to be amazed,” said Rossmoor resident and festival volunteer Bill Gekler.
It will start with presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop 657 and National Anthem sung by Haley and Teri Smith, followed by Elvis Presley impersonator, Gary Anderson, followed by The Second Annual High Heel Dash competition/fundraiser for the charity We Care. There will be many booths with things for sale and information about the unique neighborhood of Rossmoor and its surrounding area.
To make the day more exciting, the Orange County Sheriffs will have a helicopter on display along with a boat, K-9 unit, classic police car and more. There will be popular rides and games including bounce houses, pony rides, trackless train, dual lane slide and many more.
A key feature of the festival is The Car Show, which runs all day. (There is no registration fee to enter the car show. For more information contact Lee Lindquist at llindquist@socal.rr.com or call (562) 879-8052.)
No one need to go hungry at the festival either. According to Gekler, “New this year will be food trucks for our food venues along with A&J Concessions and RCSD selling bottled water, sodas, donuts and coffee. So expect to see Burger Monster, Rancho a GoGo BBQ and Front Porch Pops.”
Entertainment will include LAUSD choral groups from Hopkinson Elementary and McAuliffe Middle Schools.
“Our favorite magician, Mr. Pork Pie is coming back as is Sportin’ Woodie Band,” Gekler said.
Also, in honor of Rossmoor residents’ love of their four-footed, furry friends, there is a Dog Parade, which will be held this year at 3 p.m. (Registration starts at 1p.m. There is no registration fee required.)
For more information go to www.rossmoor-rha.org or call 562-799-1401/562-430-3707.
