Community Corner

RanchoFest Should 'Dwarf' Previous Parties in City

The two-day event features bands, food and a fun for the kids. Volunteers still needed to assist with some tasks.

Suzanne Singh stood in the shadow of the Bell Tower Regional Community Center, her back to Central Park, and talked about RanchoFest 2012 in the calm before the storm.

A few minutes later, Brad McGirr stood inside City Hall and asked for more volunteers to help. "I'm asking men," he said, "to call my wife."

The comment brought about laughs during the Wednesday City Council meeting. McGirr's wife, Julie, is tasked with finding volunteers to help with security, lost and found, traffic, or anything else that happens to come up.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The reason for the extra help, he said, is pretty enticing. This is going to be a big deal.

  • Sign up to receive the daily Patch newsletter, or follow RSM Patch on Facebook and Twitter.
  • If you're a business owner or manager, claim the free listing for your business here.

"This RanchoFest production is going to dwarf anything this city has ever done in the past," McGirr told the council during the public comments portion of the meeting on Wednesday.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Singh, who is president of the Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce, the event will have about 100 canopies under which local businesses will tout their goods and sell their wares. Restaurants will offer up food, auto dealerships will show off the newest models, and several music acts—including a Beatles tribute band on Friday and the Tijuana Dogs on Saturday—will fill the air with music.

There will also be a beer and wine garden.

The cost of the event is $10 for adult, $5 for children. The wristband purchased on Friday is also good for Saturday admission. The event is Friday, 6-9 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m to 9 p.m.

Volunteers, though, get in free and receive a meal, according to McGirr's plea for help.

For additional volunteer information, click here. To volunteer, contact AvalonDive@aol.com directly or click here.

Among the proposed volunteer tasks on Friday:

  • 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for some tasks such as covering the drains and setting up booths, tables, and chairs
  • 4:00 PM to 6:00 booth setup and general assistance before the event
  • 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM selling tickets, help in the fun zone, work security, work in the beer garden (beer garden needs prior approval—no drinking on the job), and other liaison “runner” tasks

Saturday tasks:

  • 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM to help set up.
  • 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Volunteers to work in 4-hour shifts sell tickets, help in the fun zone, work security, work in the beer garden, and liaison tasks.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here