TEMECULA: The Fourth brings forth patriotism

Independence Day events include parades, fireworks and more
This story has been modified since its original posting.

By CATHY REDFERN - Staff Writer | Monday, July 7, 2008 5:22 PM PDT ∞

TEMECULA ---- Patriotism was in full display in Southwest County on Friday, the Fourth of July, framed in ways as tiny as a hand-held flag and as grand as the fireworks that lit up the night sky.

In Temecula, more than 70 entrants kicked off the festivities at the 16th annual Star Spangled Fourth of July Parade in Old Town. That colorful procession was followed by music, games, fireworks and more at a holiday "extravaganza" that began Friday afternoon and lasted until well after dark at Ronald Reagan Sports Park.

An array of Independence Day fare was found in Lake Elsinore on Friday, too, including fireworks at Levee Lake following the annual Patriotic Boat Parade of Lights. And the sky above The Diamond was ablaze with color too, in a fireworks show that followed a Storm game.

In Old Town, Phoebe Spencer, 66, and her husband, Rudy, plunked folding chairs down on a shady stretch of sidewalk in front of Rosa's Cantina about 8:30 a.m., had some breakfast at the Swing Inn Cafe and were quite comfortable taking in the parade sights and sounds at 10 a.m. The Temecula couple has come to the parade for about 10 years, Spencer said.

"I love it," she said. "We came when it was barely nothin,' and last year's was really good. There are more people out here this year, and I'm betting it will be even better."

And it was good, officials said, with the city's Dawn Adamiak estimating the crowd at about 8,500, which she said is more than normal. And Temecula police Sgt. Eric Albert, who was manning a blocked-off side street, said he had no complaints either.

"It's going very well," he said, giving an occasional wave to mounted posse riders, police officers and others who rode by.

And ride by they did, for more than an hour, on a very warm and somewhat muggy morning. People lined the sidewalks and stood on porches and balconies above Old Town Front Street, which was bright with flags, umbrellas and red, white and blue in many forms.

Everyone seemed happy to be there, despite the heat.

Kurstin and Bill Shalawylo of Vail Ranch brought their six children to the parade. The family recently moved to Vail Ranch from Ohio and had three children in the parade: Elly, 4, who was with the Broadway Starz group; and Abby, 12, and Izzy, 10, who paraded with Pacific Coast Cheer.

William, 8, and Quentin, 6, were busy helping Mom with 23-month-old Zeke, who really wanted to walk on his own.

"Busy, busy," Kurstin Shalawylo said with a smile, adding that she was looking forward to going to the pool later. "It's a nice parade, and a nice place for family."

A young man nearby said he was also recently moved to Temecula from Ohio.

Spencer Walser was with other young men from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and said he came to town about six months ago. His fellow missionaries included Tyler Bair and Clif Christiansen, both of West Point, Utah, and Sean Spangler of Peculiar, Mo. They were just there to have fun and talk to people, they said.

"I love Temecula. There are always events going on ---- the Rod Run, the Balloon and Wine Festival," Walser said. "It's a nice little place; it's gorgeous."

Bair agreed.

"People are really friendly and what-not," he said.

Marching by were entrants including the equestrian group Friends & Family, a parade original; veterans from March Air Reserve Base, Temecula Valley Young Marines, Temecula Valley Homebrewers Association, politicians galore, at least two moms clubs, a group of birthday boys and girls called Yankee Doodle Dandy, American Legion Post 852, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4089, Boy Scout Troop 148 and Cub Scouts Pack 301.

The grand marshal was there too, of course ---- Temecula's 2008 Good Neighbor award winner Mary Boyce ---- as was the Good Neighbor runner-up, Alan Pask who runs Broadway Starz, a childrens nonprofit theater group in Temecula. Another award winner included Temecula Valley Unified School District's Teacher of the Year, Jerry Burdick-Rutz.

Save Our Southwest Hills followed the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, and children in the group played the "Star Spangled Banner" on orchestra instruments.

New entrants this year included The Little Darlins, an equestrian group, and the California Gold Coast Beauty Pageants.

Later, at Ronald Reagan Sports Park, the parking lots and the curbs along Rancho Vista Road were filled with cars near the 2 p.m. start of the Fourth of July Extravaganza. Families large and small gathered under shade structures, and games and vendors ringed the large field. Near the center was a stage that featured local performers including Gil Guillen, Crystal Portillo, Chasey Curry, Vylanis, Little Chris and Innovation.

The fireworks would come from a hillside above the park off Pauba Road, near the fire station, said Jay Smith of Temecula Fire Department.

The extravaganza is a safe, popular event for families and alcohol is prohibited, said Holly Thomas of the city's Community Services Department.

Pandora Gage, of Murrieta, said she and her family arrived at 2:30 p.m. and got a spot in the parking lot, as they have done before. There was a bit of work involved for her and husband Rick to get the children settled, she added, and it was hot. But Kelsey, 12, Adam, 9, and Jared, 7, all enjoy it, she said.

"We put up the easy-up up, which wasn't so easy," she said. "And then put up my daughter's tent. ...But it's always a lot of fun, once we get set up. The fireworks are very good."

Another Temecula couple had never been to the event before. Scott and BreAnn Constantineau were pushing 8-month-old Daniel in a light green stroller, and said they had moved to Temecula from their native Wisconsin about one year ago.

Scott Constantineau said he is a captain in the Marine Corps and returned Monday after serving seven months in Iraq. He was somewhat quiet about that and about how he felt on Independence Day.

"It's pretty nice," he said. "I've just always liked the Fourth."

His wife said she likes Temecula and the amenities it offers families.

"Since we've moved here I've been impressed with Temecula Parks and Rec, and this is no exception," she said. "There is a lot going on and lots of people here."

And while Constantineau might not be the type to wear his patriotism on his sleeve, so to speak, back at the parade, others were ablaze with color.

Belinda Morris, 50, wore a flag-colored shirt and boots as she watched the parade in front of Cafe Daniel and Old Town Antique Faire. Morris, who works as a landscaper, was raised in Temecula; and her father, Bob, was a key figure in the annual Temecula Tractor Race, which lasted about three decades.

Morris has two sons, both of whom serve in the military. Eric, 20, is a Marine serving in Iraq, and 24-year-old Robert is in the Navy, she said. Morris said she wants to get more involved in the parade next year, now that her sons are raised and because patriotism and gratitude are important to her.

"People get so wrapped up in what they are doing and get so busy," she said. "But next year, my goal is to help reinvigorate the sense of patriotism; just to celebrate our freedoms and what a great country we live in. Times are tough, but there is always something to be thankful for; we have a lot.

"That is my goal on a daily basis ---- to be grateful and thankful and pray for our country. Nobody's perfect, but I know a lot of service guys, and they would die, right now, for each and every one of us regardless, regardless of anything."

Contact staff writer Cathy Redfern at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2621, or credfern@californian.com.

The top winners of the Temecula's 2008 Star Spangled Fourth of July Parade are:
Humorous-Commercial: Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball
Marchers-Commercial: Pacific Coast Cheer
Floats-Commercial: Valley of the Mist Quilters Club
Floats: Temecula Valley Elks No. 2801
Autos-Commercial: Wescom Credit Union
Autos: Temecula Valley Republican Women and Murrieta/Temecula Republican Assembly
Religious: Calvary Chapel of Temecula Valley
Equestrian: Temecula Eq-Wine Riders
Speciality: Old Town Temecula Gunfighters
Marchers: Temecula Valley Young Marines

CORRECTION: Names Misidentified


Two restaurants and one police sergeant were misidentified in an article about Fourth of July festivities on the front page of Saturday's edition. The correct names of the Old Town Temecula restaurants are Rosa's Cantina and the Swing Inn Cafe. The Temecula police sergeant is Eric Albert.


We apologize.

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