Charity gala kicks off with free all-day folk festival in Escondido

By:PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY - For the North County Times | Wednesday, August 20, 2003 11:50 AM PDT ∞

Four years ago, the Interfaith Community Services in Escondido celebrated its 20th year with a gala fund-raiser that turned out so well, the organization decided to make it an annual event. And every year since then, it's gotten bigger and bigger.

This year, the gala adds a new tradition with a free event Aug. 23 at Grape Day Park ---- the "String Fling Wing Ding." For five hours, a host of folk bands will perform, and gala headliner, the Kingston Trio, will make a special appearance. There will also be a banjo-picking contest (sponsored by Deering Banjo Co.), an instrument petting zoo for children and a selection of food for sale from Randy Jones Buckboard Barbecue.

San Diego Folk Heritage has organized an impressive lineup that includes Peter Feldman and the Very Lonesome Boys, Katy Moffatt, the Mark Jackson Band, Border Radio, Kris Colt and Black Rose, Randy Sterling & Raw Courage, Hill and Safier, Bill Dempsey and Connie Allen, Peggy Watson and the Kahuna Cowboys.

At the conclusion of the all-day free folk festival, the action moves indoors for the Interfaith Community Services' gala at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, which will include performances by the Kingston Trio, the San Diego Chamber Orchestra and the Interfaith Children's Choir, along with a banquet dinner and dancing to live music by the Mark Jackson Band.

"In the past, we've always done a good job selling the banquet," said Mac MacFarlane, special events coordinator for Interfaith Community Services. "This year, we wanted something that led up to the big event. The Linden Root Dickinson Foundation is the title sponsor for the gala, and one of its goals is not only a great fund-raiser, but also to offer something totally free to the community ---- something that's not always about people reaching into their pockets."

Over the years, the gala has offered impressive musical guests such as Patti Page and Jack Jones. The choice of musicians came from the guests of the gala.

"The donor base for Interfaith Community Services goes for a little older music," MacFarlane said.

Tickets to the gala, which is co-sponsored by the North County Times Charities Fund, start at $150, but if patrons want to forgo the dinner and dancing, concert-only tickets are $20 to $60.

"We decided to follow that style with the folk festival with folk, bluegrass and country. It's widely accepted music and it crosses age lines, so it's a nice fit for us."

If this part of the event proves successful, MacFarlane said he has great plans for next year.

"We'd love to expand the program to include another day or two," he said. "And we'd like to add another instrument contest every year."

As much as MacFarlane is eager to begin planning next year, he can't wait for Saturday in the park.

"It's going to be an astonishing day of music," he said. "We'll see the park come alive with all this talent. People can bring chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and sit under the trees. It will be a beautiful way to spend a Saturday in Escondido."

"String Fling Wing Ding"

When: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 23

Where: Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway, Escondido

Admission: Free

Interfaith Community Services Gala

When: 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 23

Where: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido

Information: (760) 489-6380, Ext. 218

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