Rodeo Time and Elephants ... But Not at the Same Event

1.  It’s Ro-dee-oh, not ro-day-oh in San Juan Capistrano: The Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo is finally here.  It’s the nation’s richest two-day rodeo, or so they say. Gates open at 2 p.m. with the events starting at 3:45. Which events you ask? Bareback riding

• Saddle bronc riding  
• Bull riding
• Steer wrestling
• Tie down roping
• Team roping

Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for kids 4-12 and 3 and under are free. You can buy tickets at Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano, Hennessy’s Tavern in  Dana Point, Boot Barn in Lake Forest, Ortega Tack & Feed in San Juan Capistrano, Jerry’s Dogs  in Ladera Ranch  and  Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club - Mission Viejo. 

2. Show up for Morgan! Sure, there are elephants on parade in Dana Point from such celebrities as Ricky Gervais, Lily Tomlin, Cesar Millan, and Khloe Kardashian. But even bigger is San Juan Capistrano’s own Morgan Finelt, a recent graduate of Ambuehl Elementary who had the winning design among thousands of fourth- and fifth-graders at Capistrano Unified. Morgan will be introduced to the masses at Doheny State Beach somewhere around 1 p.m. Saturday, according to mom (and Patch freelancer photographer) Vicki Finelt.

3. A musical town: The Swallows Inn has Flock of 80s Saturday afternoon, Brant Vogel Saturday night and Justin Foutz Sunday afternoon. On Sunday, Hamilton Oaks Vineyard and Winery will have its penultimate (come on, who else loves that word?) Sunday concert of the summer. Scheduled to play is Rumblefish. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased here. 

4. Wild things happening at Casper’s: Casper’s Wilderness Park has two events this weekend. Tonight and every Saturday night from 8-9, the park hosts a campfire program that may include a slide presentation, wilderness safety, games and activities for children, animal adaptations, skins and skulls, a live animal demonstration and a chance to visit the Nature Center. Topics may vary weekly. The cost is free, but you do have to pay $5 to park each vehicle. For more information, contact (949) 923-2210. All ages welcome.  

And on Sunday, the park invites you to take a hike, an easy 1-mile hike on the Nature Trail. The trail takes visitors through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. Meet at Old Corral Day Use area. If rain, hike canceled. Same deal: free except for parking, contact number is above. Wear comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent.

5. Patch read of the day: Fake grass is A-OK in Mission Viejo

For other happenings, check our events calendar.