Ramona News Briefs: Coming Home Night returns to Ramona on Oct. 2

The Coming Home Night Festival, which features a parade, games and activities and food vendors, returns Thursday, Oct. 2.

The event to celebrate Ramona High School’s homecoming season begins at 5 p.m. with a parade starting at Ramona Community Montessori School and traveling up Hanson Lane to the high school, featuring floats from high school clubs, sports teams and local youth organizations.

Ramona High School’s Associated Student Body and its adviser Emily Maehler, Principal Mike Giami, class advisors and community partner Marci Laws-Hayes are overseeing the event.

“We began planning Coming Home Night during summer break, and as the committee chair my vision and focus is making sure everyone feels included and to know that Coming Home Night is a celebration of our unity as a community,” said Ramona High senior Audrey Schafer.

The free festival begins at 6 p.m. in the high school open quad. Food vendors will include Saborami Kitchen, The Corn Lady, Kona Ice, and booths will be run by Ramona High clubs and class officers.

Also featured will be games, activities, photos with Spike the Bulldog, and live performances from the Ramona High marching band, song team, and cheer squad.

“We hope that this is a valuable event for our community and we are excited to see everyone there,” said Ingrid Furgerson, a senior and ASB president.

The 2025 Ramona High School Homecoming Courts will be presented with the Homecoming King and Queen crowned at halftime during the football game on Friday, October 3, when Ramona faces Mt. Carmel at 7 p.m.

The 2025 Homecoming Court was nominated by staff and will be selected by student vote. This year’s nominees are: 

Senior Class: Ingrid Ferguson, Taylor Patterson, Cadence Heimer, Blake Hollopeter, Dylan Myrick, Zander Solis

Junior Class: Caterina Filippone, Giuliana Pekelder, Liam Gonzalez, Tate Swanson

Sophomore Class: Rubi Jimenez, Piper Young, Jordan Howard, Ryan Peck

Freshman Class: Ella Paredes, Yaretzi Rivera, Blake Schepe, Nicco Tellez

The festival will conclude with a live performance from 7 to 8 p.m. by 2016 Ramona High alumni Elizabeth Bowersox and The Kicks. — Stephanie Ogilvie

County officials to hold Oct. 6 Wildfire Town Hall 

San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson, Sheriff Kelly Martinez and local public safety leaders will present a town hall from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 to guide residents through best practices in fire prevention to protect your family, neighborhood and community.

The town hall is being held at the Ramona Community Library, 1275 Main St.

The event will also include a presentation from SDG&E on public safety power shutoffs and the resources available to residents if and when they occur.

RSVP for the event at https://public-district2.sandiegocounty.gov/forms/form/?ID=90

VFW’s 21tst Annual Christmas in October coming up

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 378 in Ramona will be hosting its 21st annual Christmas in October Turkey Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The event will take place at the post, 2247 Kelly Ave. Proceeds will support the organization’s Active-Duty Military Family Christmas Program, said Dianne Fink, a trustee for the VFW post.

“Dinner will include all the fixings,” Fink said. “Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, roll and pumpkin pie.”

The price is $20 per person and reservations are required. Seating for the dinner will be at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“It’s something we’re very passionate about,” Fink said. “It’s our way of being able to show our appreciation to our serving military members and their families.”

In lieu of toys, additional donations should be made in cash or with Stater Bros., Albertsons, Walmart, Target or gas station gift cards in $10 increments. 

“This allows our military families the opportunity to enjoy Christmas shopping for their own family,” Fink said.

Last year the VFW had one of its biggest groups — 25 to 26 families with a lot of kids between them, she said.

“We have never turned anybody down,” she said. “It’s a family affair.”

For more information or reservations, call 760-789-7888. The VFW Post 3783 is at 2247 Kelly Ave.