Victor Valley gears up for fall parades, festivals, concert as autumn nears

The approach of autumn marks the return of some of the largest festivals in the Victor Valley, including the Happy Trails Parade , Car Show & Street Fair in Apple Valley.

The Happy Trails Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 along south outer Highway 18 from Central Road west to Pawnee Road.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus will serve as grand marshal of the parade, which will include nearly 30 participants.

Some of those involved include the Apple Valley Sheriff's Posse, Granite Hills High School Cougar Band, the Apple Valley Fire Protection District, American Heritage Girls Troop 2215 and more.

Following the parade, James Woody Park and Community Center, at the corner of Navajo and Powhatan roads, will showcase the car show and street fair, including classic vehicles, vendor booths, live music, food, and activities for all ages.

For more information, visit av.town/happytrailsparade .

Hesperia Days, free concert

The return of Hesperia Days includes a 5K run, parade, festival, concert, rodeo and a fireworks show.

Hesperia Rodeo organizers will kick off the festivities by hosting a free concert featuring county band Shotgun Jefferson at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 at Hesperia Lake Park, 7500 Arrowhead Lake Road. Gates to the concert open at 5 p.m. Parking is $5.

Square doughnut revolution: The Box Donuts shop opens in Hesperia

Shotgun Jefferson is a Southern California-based band that draws musical inspiration from its deep, groove-centric, rock and roll roots, the band stated.

The band includes frontman Jeff Zazueta, Dean Parra on guitar, and Sug Parra on bass guitar.

In 2020, the band was awarded “Country Band for the Year,” by the JMA’s as they partnered with the National Hot Rod Association. The band has released a full album, and several singles, such as "California Country Folk", "Stomp My Boots", and "Have A Few In Havasu.”

Hesperia Days 5K/Parade

The Hesperia Days 5K Run takes place at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, with all runners, walkers and skaters meeting pre-race at the Percy Bakker Community Center at 9333 E Avenue. For more information, visit hesperiaparks.com .

Following the 5K, the 75th annual Hesperia Days Parade will begin its caravan of fun down Main Street at 9 a.m.

This year’s parade theme is "A Day in Hollywood: Making Movie Magic,” with actors Hank Garrett and Randal Massaro serving as co-grand marshals.

Considered one of the largest parades in the Victor Valley, the Hesperia Day Parade will include schools, businesses, marching bands, floats, dance clubs, animals, gymnastic clubs, sports teams, and more.

Parade participants will gather near Peach Avenue and travel west on Main Street. Traditionally, most parade viewers gather between I and E avenues.

Proceeds from the Hesperia Days Parade will help fund Rock'n Our Disabilities' special needs recreation program, which provides social and recreational services to individuals with disabilities, their siblings, and families throughout the High Desert and beyond.

For more information on the parade, visit rocknourdisabilitiesfoundation.org .

Hesperia Days festivities

Hosted by the Hesperia Recreation and Park District, Hesperia Day festivities begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Hesperia Lake Park at 7500 Arrowhead Lake Rd.

A full day of events will include a variety of vendors, live music, food trucks, a Kids Zone, the Great Duck Race and a firework show that begins at sundown.

For more information, visit hesperiaparks.com .

Hesperia Days Rodeo

The Hesperia Days Rodeo is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Val Shearer Arena inside Hesperia Lake Park.

The rodeo includes mutton busting, breakaway, team roping, calf roping, saddle bronc, bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, chute dogging, dancing, and live music.

Gates to the rodeo open at 1 p.m. with the rodeo starting at 5 p.m. Rodeo entry cost is $20 per person. General parking is $5 For tickets and more information, visit facebook.com/HesperiaDaysRodeo .

Victorville Fall Festival

Victorville’s annual Fall Festival is scheduled from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 outside city hall at 14343 Civic Dr.

Still in the planning stage, this year’s event will include live entertainment, craft and food vendors, a Kids Zone, a pet adoption clinic, a beer garden, and more. All rides and entertainment are free.

The city is still accepting vendor applications. For more information and to obtain a vendor application, visit victorvilleca.gov .

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victor Valley gears up for fall parades, festivals, concert as autumn nears