POWAY -- Hot rods, Civil War camps, rodeo cowboys, racing cyclists, trained dogs and ballet dancers make for an eclectic program -- and they're all a part of this year's Poway Days, which kicks off Saturday with a parade.

Now in its 42nd year, the annual three-week celebration highlights the culture, history and many activities of Poway with several major events.

Early risers can start the day at 7 a.m. with the Lions Club pancake breakfast at the Poway Senior Center, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Breakfast costs $4 for adults or $15 for a family, and will be served until noon.

The Poway Parade is scheduled to step off at 10 a.m. Saturday beginning at Pomerado Road and continuing east on Poway Road to Community Park.

"Show us Your Poway Spirit" is the theme of this year's parade, said event planner Mary Blackshaw of the Poway Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the parade.

"We have all the high school bands in Poway, the Marine Band, Color Guard, sheriffs, clowns, antique tractors and car clubs from throughout the area," Blackshaw said.

Councilman Bob Emery is the grand marshal of this year's parade, which will be followed by Community Day at 11:30 a.m. at Poway Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Admission is free.

Community Day organizer Kelly Clark said the city will have 85 to 90 vendor booths, carnival rides, displays and entertainment.

New this year will be Dog Day, which previously had been held in May. Clark said it will include a demonstration by a team of trained dogs and will feature vendor booths for pet owners. At 2 p.m., dogs and their owners can compete in several contests, including look-alike, best-dressed and longest or shortest tail.

Entertainment begins at 12:30 p.m. with a performance by the Poway High dance team, followed by a 1 p.m. baton-twirling demonstration. Awards for parade participants will be presented at 1:45 p.m.

Afternoon entertainment will highlight performers demonstrating skills they learned in Poway city classes, Clark said. A tap and ballet demonstration will be held at 3 p.m. followed by a gymnastics demonstration at 4 p.m. and a karate demonstration at 5 p.m.

The classic rock band Rockola will perform at 6 p.m.

Also on Saturday, the annual Motor Head Madness car show is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Poway Transmissions, 13933 Poway Road. Spectator admission is free, and money raised from participating car owners and food sales will benefit Soroptomist International, said Karen Dunn, event coordinator and co-owner of Poway Transmissions. Last year's event raised $5,100, she said.

Dunn said the event began seven years ago because shop customers wanted to show off their classic cars, and it has grown to more than 200 cars competing in age classes dating from 1935 and older to 1976 and newer. To register a car, call (858) 679-8000.

A shuttle between Community Park and Poway Transmissions will run throughout the day.

Raffle prizes this year will include a $1,000 Nordstrom's shopping spree and a silent auction will include a granite vanity, glider riders and a 2007 AFC West Championship Chargers commemorative football.

Saturday night, the Community Theatre at 13250 Poway Road will present "High Valley Hullabaloo at 7 p.m. The show will repeat at 7 p.m. Sept. 14, 19 and 20, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sept. 14 and 21.

Good Neighbor Day, when people are asked to hand roses to friends, is Sept. 17. Four Seasons in the Target Shopping Center and Crystal Gardens in Creekside Plaza will give away roses while supplies last beginning at 8 a.m.

The Poway Rodeo Barbecue and Auction will be 5:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Poway Valley Riders Association, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road. Tickets cost $35 or $60 per couple and are available at Albertsons, 14837 Pomerado Road.

The rodeo itself will be Sept. 26-28 at the Poway Valley Riders Association. Tickets range cost $12 to $35, depending on day and seat location. For information, visit www.PowayRodeo.com or call (866) 776-7633.

A trail ride at Poway Valley Riders Association will be held Sept. 21. Riders can sign up at 8 a.m. for the ride, which begins at 9 a.m. The $20 ticket includes lunch and a poker hand. For information, call (858) 204-2300.

Rendezvous in Poway will be held in Old Poway Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20-21. Organizer Carrie Sanchez said participants re-create about 15 encampments that represent various eras dating to the Civil War.

The event kicks off at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 with an old-fashioned campfire and singalong.

"It gets everyone in the spirit," she said. "They can bring their own campfire treatments, and a lot of the encampment groups come over, so you're sitting around with people from all these different eras."

The park is at 14134 Midland Road.

Poway Days runs into October and includes a Train Song Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at Old Poway Park and the Tour de Poway bicycle race, which begins Oct. 5 at Old Poway Park.

Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.