Yeehaw! Saddle Up for the Rossmoor Community Festival

A dog parade, a mechanical bull, and barbecue from Knights of the Holy Grill. 

What more could you want? 

This Sunday, residents of Rossmoor and surrounding communities will gather for some fun at the at . 

“This is kind of our main event of the year,” said Bev Houghton, director of the Rossmoor Homeowners Association, which, along with the Rossmoor Community Services District, hosts the festival. About 1,000 people are expected to attend, she said.

This year’s festival has a western theme, and Houghton is hoping that people will dress up. Last year, not many people dressed to the Renaissance theme, so “maybe with western, people will do the cowboy, cowgirl, cowboy boot thing,” said Houghton.

In a nod to this year’s theme, the festival will feature a mechanical bull. 

The traditional dog parade will also take place this year, but a new addition will help keep pets safe—a low-cost vaccination and microchipping clinic for dogs and cats. 

The homeowners association is also trying to expand emergency preparedness, Houghton said. So this year, there’s a whole section of the festival dedicated to being prepared. Representatives from the Red Cross, the Community Emergency Response Team and the Sheriff's Department will be on hand, as will a vendor selling emergency-preparedness kits. 

In addition to those booths, there will be nonprofit organizations, and local crafters and jewelry makers selling their wares. 

Live entertainment, including a jazz band, a car show and a line-dancing group will be part of Sunday’s festivities. 

Proceeds from the event benefit community programs, such as a scholarship program, Houghton said.