“There is no denying that Old Town San Diego State Historic Park has a lot of great things to offer visitors,” stated Interpretation and Education Manager Karen Beery. “We encourage all San Diegans to set a date to experience the state park and explore the way San Diego was in the 19^th century.”

Every Saturday of the month, the park offers a different taste of historic trades and craft guilds for visitors. The first Saturday of every month, the park hosts the Print Guild and Tintype Guild. Visitors can have a first-hand experience of how printed word and photography was executed in the early days of California.

On the second Saturday of each month, the park hosts Californio Day. Between 1821 and 1848, people who lived in Southern California were called Californios. The unique cultural heritage and activities of the Californios will be shared and celebrated with visitors.

The third Saturday boasts presentations from the Quilt Guild, Fiber Arts Guild and the Mormon Battalion. Guest of the park will learn about the traditional methods of quilting, spinning, weaving and other fiber arts techniques. Visitors will also learn about the famous military unit, the Mormon Battalion, and how the impact of their service changed the history of San Diego and California.

On the third Saturday of each month, the Quilt Guild teaches park guests about the traditional methods of quilting, spinning, weaving and other fiber arts techniques.

On the fourth Saturday, the park hosts the Mountain Men and the Soap Makers Guild. Park visitors will learn about the historic mountain men and the discoveries they found as well as learn the art of soap making.

In conjunction with the different events every Saturday, the park also showcases the Blacksmith Guild’s presentation every Wednesday and Saturday morning and the Quilt Guild every Wednesday afternoon. For more information about the guild schedules of the day and their location in the park, visit the board outside the Robinson-Rose Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center and museums are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. October through April and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May through September. To confirm hours of operation or for more information call 619-220-5422 or visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego.

There will be a pet expo with treats for pets and owners as well as activities for kids. Sky Hunters will be bringing exotic birds to the event and various rescue groups such as Emergency Animal Rescue and Wee Companions will educate the public about rescuing, rehabilitating and supporting wild and domesticated animals.

Monsignor Mark Campbell blesses Chopper the Biker Dog at last years Blessing of the Animals celebration in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

There will also be animals available for adoption and a special appearance by Chopper the Biker Dog. Chopper is an one-year-old Boston terrier who is known all around the county for riding his own Harley Davidson motorcycle and his distinctive biker goggles.

The event features animal-themed entertainment such as pet psychic readings by Sindi Somers from Wild and Tame.  Other groups participating include Love My Pet, Santee Bunny Shelter, and Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego.

Historically, this event has been happening for more than 300 years – dating back to the 1700s. In San Diego the annual Benediction of the Beasts celebrates St. Anthony of the Desert, the Patron Saint of Animals. Activities for both animals and families make this celebration both unique and very moving to all who participate.

Admission to this event is free. This event is sponsored by j.simms agency, Fiesta de Reyes and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. For more information, visit:  http://www.facebook.com/fiestadereyes or call event producers, j.simms agency at 858-689-9909.

Everyone was invited to join the candlelit procession as the players went from inn to inn, asking for symbolic lodging. The procession was led by professional actors in period costume. Pictured from left to right, Aminah al-Jaber as Innkeeper, Ramona al-Jaber as Innkeeper, Victor Contreras as Joseph, Reyna Morales as Mary, April Fisher as Angel, Eric George as Wise Man, Federico Moramarco as Wise Man, David Cohen as Wise Man, Austyn Myers as Shepherd Son, Steve Jensen as Father Shepherd and Willie, the acting donkey.

In addition, the students will be singing from the balcony of the newly remodeled Cosmopolitan Hotel during the traditional Las Posadas celebration in Old Town plaza on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 5 p.m.

“The students are truly multitalented young people who represent the spirit of the multicultural 21st century learner,” says Principal Katy Andersen. “They are very excited to show the public what they have been working on this year.”

The seventh and eighth grade students are in a first-year Spanish class as part of their Alpine School District pilot program called STEM, an acronym for Science-Technology-Engineering and Mathematics.

The students are studying Spanish in order to begin cooperative Internet-based projects with students in South America this spring. The foreign students are learning English and both groups will be working on the same project, practicing both languages while learning about science, math, engineering, history, communication and technology.

Admission to the concert is free. Fiesta de Reyes is located at Juan and Calhoun streets, a one-block stroll from the Old Town Trolley Station. In addition to the Casa de Reyes restaurant and Barra Barra Saloon, the plaza boasts 19 specialty stores.  For more information call (619) 297-3100 or visit www.FiestaDeReyes.com.

The 61st annual Las Posadas procession culminates with a manger scene in front of the Casa de Estudillo.

This event combines the Anglo custom of caroling with the Hispanic tradition of the procession and the breaking of the piñata. The Las Posadas procession will be lead by professional actors in period costume, including Willie, the acting donkey.

Before the procession that takes place at 5 p.m., this event will also feature a daytime celebration and preshow with live music, performances and activities for children from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A variety of local music and performing arts groups will perform from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For children’s entertainment, there will be free craft activities that include making pioneer-style cloth dolls, as well as corn-husk dolls and paper holiday flowers. At end of the festival,  there will be a piñata-breaking party following the Las Posadas procession at 6 p.m.

This is the third year that the Las Posadas procession is produced by the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park concessionaires. Admission to Las Posadas is free.  For more information, phone (619) 297-3100.

Participating Merchants

Geppetto’s Inc.

Temecula Olive Oil company

Old Town Jerky and Root Beer

Hot Licks

Hacienda de las Rosas Winery

Fiesta Cocina

Old Town Gift Co.

Tienda de Reyes

Casa de Reyes

Barra Barra Saloon

Silver Lily

Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant

Featuring traditional Irish music and a blend of Mexican and Irish food, the celebration is a remembrance of “Saint Patrick’s Brigade,” a legendary artillery unit led by Irish immigrants who became a one of the Mexican Army’s most highly decorated brigade during the Mexican-American War.

Members of the Rose-Ritchie Academy of Irish Dance will perform to traditional Irish music on the Fiesta de Reyes stage after the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will serenade the audience.  The event features a special menu of $2 Guinness Stout, corned beef tacos and potato flautas.

Admission to this event is free. The event begins at noon and ends at 2 p.m.  Fiesta de Reyes is a plaza of 18 shops and three restaurants within Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Located at Wallace and Calhoun streets, Fiesta de Reyes is a one-block stroll from the Old Town Trolley Station.  Free parking is available in the Caltrans parking lot all day on weekends. All shops are open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information call (619) 297-3100 or visit www.FiestaDeReyes.com.

Life-sized Catrina Dolls will be featured on the Casa de Reyes stage as well as outside of Barra Barra Saloon.

Fiesta de Reyes will be participating in the Dia de los Muertos celebration in Old Town San Diego hosted by SOHO. For more info, visit www.sohosandiego.com/dod/.

Day of the Dead Special Menu — Friday, October 28 through November 2

Barra Barra Saloon

Guagillo bbq pork ribs W/ Frijoles charros and a Mexican stuffed bake potato

Sweet Tamals with Pineapple

Casa de Reyes:

Chicken mole enchiladas topped with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo and cotija cheese  served with  spanish rice and beans.

Sweet Tamals with Pineapple

Fiesta de Reyes Day of the Dead Schedule of Events

Day of the Dead Folklorico Dancing

Tue., Nov 1st from  5:30 to 8:30 pm

Wed. Nov 2nd from 5:30 to 8:30 pm

Face Painter

Tue., Nov 1st from  noon to 4 p.m.

Wed. Nov 2nd from noon to 4 p.m.

After Party Details

Nov. 2  from 8 to 10pm

$2 street taco stand in the courtyard in Fiesta de Reyes and a coffee and dessert station.

Special bar in the courtyard offering specials on Blood Orange Margaritas and Mexican Coffees and complimentary Mexican Hot Chocolate.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Blood Orange Margarita

“WHOOO’S THE WICKEDEST GHOST? A SPOOKY TRIAL”

DATES: Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m.

On Oct. 28, 29, 30, and 31 two performances will be held: the first at 6 p.m. and the second at 7:30 p.m. Old Town State Historic Park will hold an evening of scary, funny and tragic stories of people who once lived in early San Diego during the 1800s. Spirits will answer to the comical judge Oliver Weatherby with the audience as their jury to determine “Whooo’s the Wickedest Ghost.” An hour-long walking tour will be given with the performers. For reservations, visit www.brownpapertickets/event/195947 for more information, call 619-220-5422.

GHOST TOURS DATES: All October long Michael Brown leads San Diego’s only real ghost tours. During his 90-minute walking tours, guests will get to visit various paranormally active places in Old Town such as the Whaley House, a park that used to be cemetery and a haunted brothel located on the Whaley House property. He shares tips, tricks and techniques to find ghosts and other paranormal happenings in Old Town. Each tour includes photos, voices of the dead and a video vortex. His tours are every Thursday through Sunday in October. Walking tours begin at 9 p.m. in front of the Fiesta de Reyes fountain and no reservations are necessary. Adult tickets are $19 and children 6-12 are $10. Kids 5 and under are free. For more information, visit http://www.oldtownsmosthaunted.com/.

OLD TOWN’S FALL FESTIVAL

DATES: Saturday, Oct. 29

Fall crafts and children’s activities a la San Diego in the 1870s will be held from noon to 4 p.m. in the central plaza at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Many merchants surrounding the park will have activities as well. For more info, visit www.fiestadereyes.com.

OLD TOWN THEATER: DANSE MACABRE BY WRITE OUT LOUD

DATES: Monday, Oct. 31

Write Out Loud will present “Danse Macabre” in the Old Town Theatre on Monday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Danse Macabre will feature stories of magic and mystery brought chillingly to life by professional actors. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $13 for students, seniors and active military. For more info, visit http://writeoutloudsd.com/.

TRICK-OR-TREAT

DATES: Monday, Oct. 31 Trick-or-treaters are invited to come out Monday, Oct. 31, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 to collect goodies from participating shops and museums throughout Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Admission for this is free.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

DATES: Nov. 1 and 2

The premier Day of the Dead event in San Diego County, Old Town’s Dia de los Muertos is designed to celebrate the history, culture and heritage of the region. Old Town’s predominantly Mexican, Spanish and Native American and legacy makes it the best site in San Diego to hold this special and beloved celebration. There will be a tour of more than 30 altars, a candlelight procession and live music. At Fiesta de Reyes in the state park, five life-sized Catrina dolls in historic dress will delight visitors as well as altars in nearly every store. Face painting and an after party are also planned for Nov. 1. This two-day-long activity will also feature workshops, performances and lectures. For more information, visit facebook.com/DiaDeLosMuertosOTSD or call (619) 297-7511.

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