• Trunk or Treat 2020

Sadly the yearly Trunk or Treat event, which is one of the most popular park happenings in town, had to be cancelled along with most of 2020's events.

However, that didn't stop Wildomar parks team from coming up with an alternative: Drive In Laser Show.

One of the many decorations that adorned Marna O'Brien park.

Fun and lively tunes were played by Robert Walker of Heyday Events to lasers overhead and some videos on three different screens. 

I didn't get a lot of great photos of the event. For all the wonders a smartphone camera is capable of, capturing lasers at night (or anything else in the dark) doesn't seem to be among them. 😁

A look at the early set up. The white vacuum exhaust looking hose was where mist was made. The mist was to give the lasers something to bounce of off.

There were two shows

The first started at 7pm and the second show started at 9pm.

What may not have been apparent is that this type of show is new, a work in progress. Heyday Events has put on countless shows over the years, but drive in laser shows are a new frontier and a lot was learned from the first show to the second show.

Another great decoration... that in another pic had his purple horns sticking out of my head... just look below. 😳

I'm telling you, those purple horns are *not* part of my costume. 😁

The second show had a lot more audience participation. From horn honking, light flashing and having people do their best Halloween scary laughs, werewolf impersonations and screams. It was so much fun to be part of. 

The first show was over by 7:45pm. I didn't see any cars lining up for the second show. I was starting to think it was going to be a bust. 

Then it was like a scene out of Field of Dreams....and out of nowhere a line of cars appeared. 😁

A great ending scene from a great movie.

Not as great an angle as the movie, but still impressive.

Waiting to be checked in for the 9pm show.

Thanks again to the dedicated team that makes Wildomar's park events so much fun.

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A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.

– The Wizard of Oz

If Wildomar Rap were judged by that metric, forget a simple snowball, it would be one of those days that the entire Winter Olympics could be held in Hades.

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

 

• Trunk or Treat 2019

The 6th annual Trunk or Treat event at Marna O'Brien Park was the scene of countless smiles.

The first booth that most trick or treaters went to was the Wildomar city booth. In this photo you see councilmember Ben Benoit offering three different types of m&m's. For some, it was an easy choice. For others, it was like a trick question on a pop quiz. ☺

I was alongside Ben Benoit at the city booth for two straight hours handing out w&w's (m&m's upside down to go along with the city's costume theme).

There were plenty more upside down m's throughout the park, but getting us all together for a photo was impossible. Left to right: Joseph Morabito, Gary Nordquist, Bridgette Moore and Ben Benoit.

Something that sprung up organically was the formation of a line. There had never been a "start" line in the past, and I'm still not sure how it came about in 2019. 

The top photo was taken just outside the city boot, and you can see that it stretched all the way to the Faith Bible Church ice cream truck. The bottom image shows the crowd size around 7:15pm.

Councilmember Bridgette Moore even told those in line that "there isn't a line, feel free to visit other booths first," but most chose to stay in the line anyway. 

 Two of the three bounce houses that were busy all evening long.

The view from the south end of the parking lot.

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez and staffers had a booth. They dressed as Wizard of Oz characters. 

Relic VW, on Mission Trail, was in the park handing out candy. Their haunted VW Bus was pretty cool.

Living Hope Lutheran Church put together another spectacular booth. In years past they had group costumes from "Where's Waldo", Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Wizard of Oz and in 2019, The Sandlot.

A look at the Cops For Kids and City of Wildomar booths at about 7:30pm.

Next up on the city calendar is the State of the City, which will be held at the Elks Lodge on October, 30th 2019.

If you'd like to attend, you don't really have to dress in your "50's best", but those of us on the council probably have to (gulp, lol). You also can skip the VIP portion and just come for the Mayor's presentation.

The last event of the year will be Breakfast With Santa, Saturday, December 14th, at fire station 61 (on Gruwell St). 

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Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something.
– last words of Pancho Villa

When the time comes, Wildomar Rap would like something equally as eloquent to be remembered by. 

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• Trunk or Treat 2018

Wildomar's fifth annual Trunk or Treat event at Marna O'Brien park was probably the most well attended park event I've seen to date. The parking lot was already full before the official start time of 5pm. 

There were 39 "Trunks" and an estimated 2000 participants.

The perfect photo spot was set up near the Faith Bible Church ice cream truck.

An early look at the crowd.

Based on length of lines, the "Haunted Shipwreck" was the most popular attraction.

One of the many displays in the "Haunted Shipwreck" maze.

Wildomar Police were on hand to meet and greet the trick or treaters.

City Councilmember Bridgette Moore posed with a superhero, a couple of bottles of yummy sauces and what appears to be a post apocalyptic survivalist. lol

My best group costume award goes to Living Hope Lutheran Church. They came as The Wizard of Oz characters. Last year they dressed as members of the original Willy Wonka cast, and the year before they were dressed up as "Where's Waldo" characters. 

The look of pure enjoyment on the kids' faces was worth its weight in candy.

Lake Elsinore Education Foundation were giving out children's books.

Cops For Kids were on hand.

 The Relay For Life leaders were in the house. ☺

The Girl Scouts handed out a lot of candy.

Crowds cycled in and out during the three hour event. Though it was difficult to pinpoint how many people visited altogether. As I was leaving around 7:15pm I saw fresh a troop of costumed candy connoisseurs traipsing into the park with their chaperones. 

Holly Stephens of Furry Tail Dog Training was one of the local business owners in attendance. There were many more... (Note to self, take MORE pictures next year, and do so before it gets too dark). 

Melissa Melendez, 67th State Assembly district elected official, in attendance. Her district has more than 450,000 people in it and it stretches from Murrieta to Hemet to Lake Mathews. This was her second consecutive Wildomar Trunk or Treat event to be at.

Being a person that believes in equal time, Michelle Singleton (candidate for 67th Assembly district seat) and her team were at the event too. I wonder if it's too late to do a Better Know a Candidate blog with her?

Elsinore High School cheerleaders performed for the crowd throughout the event.

Last on the city park's 2018 calendar of events is Breakfast With Santa, which is slated for Saturday, December 15th at the Fire Station on Gruwell St. 

To keep informed about various city events, be sure to sign up for the email reminders at the following address. 

Link to the city's stay connected page.

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Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.
– Mason Cooley

Wildomar Rap makes statements, then the story just grows on its own.

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• Trunk or Treat 2017

The 4th annual Trunk or Treat at Marna O'Brien park was a busy event, where kids of all ages came together for some fun, frivolity, candy and a chance to test out their 2017 costumes.

A look at the sea of people after the Sun had gone down.

Over 30 "trunks" were prepped and decorated for the event. 

The city of Wildomar booth where councilmember Bridgette Moore snaps a picture of
Janet Morales and (what appears to be) KISS guitarist Paul Stanley.

A haunted house that had longs lines of costumed kids waiting to take a look inside.

It's always fun to see a family all dress up, and this family is that of
city councilmember Dustin Nigg (Uncle Sam) and his wife Desiree (Lady Liberty)
and their three daughters;  a lamb, a ninja and Dorothy (sans Toto).

Brother and sister Daniel and Sarah pose for quick pic.

A princess poses with a transformer while being photographed by her mom.

Boy Scout Troop 332 were represented at the snack bar where they were selling
pulled pork sandwiches, and with the Doug Ames Deuce and a Half  handing out candy.

The crowd as it anticipated the first of several costume contests. On the stage were Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, Councilmembers Dustin Nigg and Bridgette Moore and in the middle with the microphone, Mayor Tim Walker. 

If there were a category of best costume theme by a group, it would have gone to the group from Living Hope Lutheran Church who dressed as characters from the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Last year they were all dressed as Waldo (from Where's Waldo fame).

REMINDER

Last on the city park's 2017 calendar of events is Breakfast With Santa, which is slated for December 16th at the Fire Station on Gruwell St. 

To keep informed about various city events, be sure to sign up for the email reminders at the following address. 

Link to the city's stay connected options.

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I'll bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.
– Charles S. Swartz

If Wildomar Rap were a nudist colony, it would require all those present to be either blind, invisible or both.

• Upcoming Events Final Quarter 2017

So many times I've heard people say, "Oh my, I only wish I'd have known about (insert name of event here), I'd have loved to have gone."

Well, here's your chance to put several events on your calendar, before they happen this go round. ☺

First up is the State of the City event. 

I've been to several of these, and though they are generally filled will fluffy happy talk, it's still good to get an assessment of where the city leaders think we stand. 

Tickets are free, but you need to get them ahead of time.

Here's the link to get tickets.

 City of Wildomar's 2017 State of the City 

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Next up on the calendar is the inaugural showing of the Scary Dairy. It's a fundraising event from the Wildomar Rotary Club. 

This will be happening on Friday and Saturday evening, October 21st and 22nd.

It'll be at Wildomar's famous DeJong's Dairy. See the flyer for more details. 

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Sunday October 22nd there will be a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for shooting victim Chelsea Romo at the Elks Lodge in Wildomar. 

There is a big window from 3pm to 8pm to come out to be part of this fundraiser. Leave the cooking and cleaning to others as you help out a local family in need.

Spaghetti is the the international food of friendship. ☺

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On Saturday October 28th, at Marna O'Brien park will be the site of Wildomar's 4th annual Trunk or Treat event. This event has really grown into a terrific community event. 

Plan on coming before dark and visiting all the candy-passer-outers. Come dressed in an original or clever costume and enter one of the contests and you might go home with a prize.

If you'd like to be one of the official "vendors" see the flyer below for details. There is no cost to sign up. It's a great way for your business or organization to meet a large swath of the community. Bring a lot of candy with you, and think of a clever way to decorate your vehicle too.

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Community Clean Up Day

Not as much fun as the other things mentioned, but for some maybe just what they've been waiting for. If you've got junk, then bring it to one of the two designated areas. 

This will be happening on Saturday morning, November 4th.

Be sure to check the conditions in the flyer before heading out... you don't really want to dress your truck up like that of the Beverly Hillbillies just to learn you showed up at the wrong location... or to mistakenly bring things on the contraband list.

Also, you'll be needing to unload your own junk, so bring a crew with you.

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Other things to consider include:

• Twin events, potluck at the VFW and a crafts fair the Elks Lodge on November 11th. The craft fair is starts at 10am and goes to about 2pm, whereas the potluck kicks off at 1pm. 

• The annual Christmas Tree Lane held at the Elks Lodge, Saturday December 2nd. 

• The annual Breakfast with Santa event that is held at Fire Station 61, on Gruwell St. 

There is no flyer made yet, but it's not too early for you to block out part of that morning to be part of one of Wildomar's most endearing and anticipated happenings.

• CERT reunion dinner, Thursday December 28th (other details to follow as we get nearer). There are many CERT alumni, but probably have lost contact after our classes were completed. 

As we've seen repeatedly this year, emergencies happen all the time, and seldom with much notice. If you've taken the CERT classes, it would be a good chance to reconnect over dinner... no cribbing on the menu. ☺

Come on out to one —or all of— these events and get a sampling of the Wildomar community in action. See you there.

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We know what we are, but know not what we may be.
– William Shakespeare

To Wildomar Rap or not to Wildomar Rap, that is the question. Nobility of suffering in the mind notwithstanding.