Ramona Music Fest to Feature Local Performers

Billed as “Bigger, Longer, Better,” the fourth-annual Ramona Music Fest kicks off at noon on Saturday, April 9, with more than a dozen bands and soloists performing until 6 p.m. from two stages at .

The event is co-sponsored by Ramona’s and service clubs to benefit each club’s community projects and local scholarships. At last year’s Music Fest, attendance was estimated at 500. More is expected this year, organizers said. Kiwanis members Paul Tarr and Bob Hailey are coordinating the event.

All but two of the bands and performers are based in Ramona. Gilbert Castellanos and the New Latin Jazz Quintet and a band called The Filthy Violets are the out-of-towners.

The headlining acts are Aja Alycea, Cactus Twang & Whyte and Castellanos’ group,

Other local bands and performers include: Ramona Town Hall Brass Band; Ramona High School Blues Jazz Band; Emily Grace Rajcic; Brandon Burrill; Jason Winters; Grand Canyon Sundown; Baja Blues Boys; Sage; Henry and the Sea Creatures; and Sherm the Band.

There will be silent and live auctions throughout the day, as well as regular and reverse raffles. Numerous prizes have been donated by local merchants, including a top prize of a Panasonic 50-inch plasma television valued at $800.

There will be supervised games and activities for youngsters and a variety of food booths set up in the park. There also will be a beer and wine garden, but no alcohol beverages may be brought into the park by individuals.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 10 to 17, with free admission for children under 10, and may be purchased online at www.ramonamusicfest.org or at the gate. Free parking is included. Tickets also are available in advance at , 960 Main St.; , 1045 Main St.; The Java Hut, 23680 San Vicente Road; Ramona Sentinel, 425-A 10th St.; and , 726 D St. Kiwanis and Rotary members also have tickets for sale.