It was a great weekend. The weather was perfect for the La Mesa Flag Day Parade on Saturday morning. Despite the construction going on, it went smoothly and as usual this hometown parade was better this year than last. Some of my favorites were the live reenactment of the “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.” This one always brings the crowd to their feet and rightfully so.
It was a great weekend. The weather was perfect for the La Mesa Flag Day Parade on Saturday morning. Despite the construction going on, it went smoothly and as usual this hometown parade was better this year than last. Some of my favorites were the live reenactment of the “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.” This one always brings the crowd to their feet and rightfully so.
Alongside the sidewalk, there were large posters with local heroes past and present that was fascinating to read, not part of the parade, but definitely part of the spirit of the day.
I loved the fact that La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis came back around and joined the Peter Pan Junior Theater, especially after finding out that he has been a part of it since he went to school at Lemon Ave. Elementary in fourth grade. It is things like these that separate this parade from others. It is a homegrown, hometown parade and its great watching the La Mesa community come out in droves supporting this event.
And speaking of La Mesa events, the 7th Annual Taste of La Mesa is coming up this Monday, June 8 and has an impressive lineup of restaurants participating. Personally, this will be the first time that I attend the event and I am excited to see what so many have so highly talked about. There is still plenty of time to sign up for a Taste of La Mesa, and since I have been here, I have only heard great things about this annual event.
After the parade, I spent the evening with the Lakeside Optimist at its 6th Annual Memorial (all you can eat) Fish Fry. Miss Bulls Only Rodeo Brittany Miller was a great hostess and does an excellent job at promoting not only this event, but also the upcoming Bulls Only Rodeo in July. The judges got it right in picking Miller to represent both the rodeo and the Optimists.
I am astounded when I hear the dollars that the Optimist brings back to the youth of Lakeside with its various fundraisers and the rodeo. We will talk a bit more about that as it gets closer, but while at the fish fry, I was able to finally meet and speak with many of the people that make all of this happen. I must say I am impressed.
Food was great, and they are not kidding when they say their hushpuppies will melt in your mouth. This comes from a Southern boy who grew up eating hushpuppies like toast. Wonder if that is a recipe they are willing to share. I stayed the entire time and although it was a busy weekend, this event was a pleasure to go to. I had no agenda, other than to meet the fine folks behind the scenes, something I should have done long ago.
This Saturday is the 12th Annual Lakeside Optimist Fishing Derby & Family Fun day at Lindo Park. It is a free event for the family and the fishing is for youth 15 and under. The Optimists will even provide them with a fishing rod if needed. Registration starts at 7:00 a.m. and the fun continues until 1 p.m. Bring out the kids and enjoy the day with them. And the Optimists promised me that this event is not intended to supply next year’s fish fry.
Whether you live in La Mesa or Lakeside or not, these are the type of events that East County can enjoy as an entire community. When these things come around next year, plan on attending and supporting. In the long run, when your community is doing something for its community, you want the support from the surrounding communities as well.
It is important to support your neighbors because many things that they do affect your own community in some way or another. I am not saying that this is not being done, because I see it in action every day. But there is always room for growth. And with the special organizations like the Optimists, Chamber of Commerce’s’, Soroptimists, Lions, Elks and the many veteran organizations, helping each other out in these events only make East County a greater and stronger community.
