Founder’s Day brings together community to celebrate local history
Max Randolph taught attendees his tricks of the trade in his blacksmithing demonstration.
Locals and central coast visitors were able to enjoy the community and history of Templeton at the annual Founder’s Day Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 22. The event took place on Main Street between 3rd and 5th streets and featured live music, dance performances, a petting zoo, wine vendors, and even a Halloween costume pet parade. With so much to experience, participants were always able to find something to catch their interests.
Volunteers let kids pet all sorts of livestock at the petting zoo located near the Templeton Historical Society Museum.
Visitors entering the event on 3rd Street were greeted with several pieces of antique farming equipment being shown off by various private owners, as well as over a dozen different kinds of tractors and Model-T cars. Live music performed by Cuesta Ridge, a local bluegrass band, could be heard and enjoyed by all during the afternoon. Further down the road, near the Museum of the Templeton Historical Society, there was a kids’ area where kids could play games and experience hands-on activities such as petting farm animals or learning how to use a vintage textile machine.
Volunteers from Cal Poly and 4-H made sure the kids were entertained during the festivities. The Templeton Historical Society also did their part to envelope visitors in the community’s culture and history by having a professional blacksmith, Max Randolph, demonstrate his trade. Randolph used basic blacksmithing tools to expertly craft his work for the audience’s entertainment. The historical society displayed a 1933 Ford School Bus, which they have been attempting to fully restore for years.
Local businesses and private vendors offered a number of products and services throughout the afternoon. Some sold wood-works or textiles, while others sold artwork or even custom-made Lego figures. Massage services were even available to the shoppers. Supervisor candidate John Peschong also made an appearance, seeking support for his campaign.
The Junior level Main Street Dance Company members performed a hip-hop dance routine that brought tons of energy that electrified the audience.
Later in the afternoon, dancers of varying ages from the Main Street dance company performed routines that dazzled their audience. The senior level dancers went up first, giving an emotion-filled show that had the audience hanging on every movement. Next the young girls from the Pre-Dance level classes wiggled around to the beat, capturing the hearts of the crowd. After the dancers were finished, the talented actors from the Templeton High School Drama Department performed excerpts from their upcoming play, “Macbeth“.
Most everyone in attendance at the Founder’s Day celebration left with a smile on their face after a day full of small town fun, creating memories that could last a lifetime. Many now look forward to next year, where they will be able to make even more.
The Founder’s Day festivities were always presenting new reasons for attendees to enjoy themselves.
