Come one, come all, Escondido’s oldest and most famous event, the Grape Day Festival, returns on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The festival will take place in Grape Day Park, home to the original festivals in the heart of Escondido and next to our beautiful City Hall and the California Center for the Arts. The Festival will once again celebrate the early days of Escondido, when agriculture was “King” and festival goers traveled from all across the state to see why Escondido was hailed as a great place to grow sweet grapes and a central hub of citrus and other crops. This year, the History Center is once again bringing the Grape Day Festival to life, with a focus on celebrating the traditions of Escondido’s glorious past. Robin Fox, from the Escondido History Center recalls, “Grape Day is Escondido’s one-day history lesson, as well as a fun time for the whole family. The 2023 festival is a family-friendly event, featuring old time entertainment from Swing Jazz to Bluegrass and other talented musical acts from the early 1900’s throughout the event. Across Grape Day Park will be artisans and crafters, showing how things were made back in the day, with live demonstrations of such things as spinning, weaving, corn shelling and grinding and butter making. Kids can learn old-fashioned children’s games, get their faces painted and balloons twisted. Antique farm and mining machinery as well as early-century vehicles will be on display for all to see. Take off your shoes and stomp some grapes, eat free table grapes, like they did back in the original festival, and let the kids enjoy the 4-H petting zoo and meet some exotic animals up close. Hollandia Dairy will be onsite with a cow milking display as well. Taste the local flavor and head over to the wine and beer garden to savor the area's finest local wines and craft beers, with wineries participating from all across San Diego. There is a cost for wine and beer tasting, tickets available onsite on the day of the event. Only 21 and up permitted in the wine and beer tasting area. There will also be a food court, with tasty food offerings for everyone to enjoy, from Mexican food to Barbeque. Also, enjoy ice cream, hot popcorn, roasted peanuts, shaved ice, and cold drinks while you take in the festival. Local Native American, first responder, and other community organizations will be there to showcase their contributions to the community. The Festival is free to attend, with something fun for all ages to enjoy and family friendly entertainment! Grab your sunhat and comfy shoes and join us for some old fashioned fun in Grape Day Park! Proceeds from the festival help support the Escondido History Center and the historic buildings it maintains at Grape Day Park. For more information visit: grapedayfest.com
