ESCONDIDO — The historic Grape Day Festival returned for another year in the heart of Grape Day Park, inspiring thousands to learn about the history of the region and get a taste of its sweet grapes.
Dozens of local vendors lined the park while historians showcased old-world crafts like blacksmithing, lacemaking and grape-stomping while musicians and dancers provided entertainment on the festival’s central stage.
The classic Escondido festival first started in 1908 and ran until 1950. At the time, the festival used to attract thousands of visitors from all over Southern California to visit Escondido, which was known for its sweet grapes and wine. The festival grew so popular that it was second only to Pasadena’s Festival of Roses.
The festival experienced a 40-year hiatus before the Escondido History Center revived the festival in 1990 and ran it until 2018. After another short break, the festival once again returned last year.
Robin Fox, director of the Escondido History Center, called the Grape Day Festival a fun, free “one-day history lesson” for the city.
An Escondido festival showcasing the city’s history wouldn’t be complete without some classic cars on display – and time spent remembering legendary Escondido characters.
Don Martin brought in a classic Ford truck honoring Rube Nelson, who opened the city’s first big supermarket sometime in the late 1930s. He also he helped found the Escondido National Bank on the southeast corner of Escondido Boulevard and West Valley Parkway.
“He was very influential in the community,” Martin said.
David Shaffer, a Branch 22 member of the National Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association, recalled meeting Nelson as a young man. He had just returned to Escondido from serving in the military and bought a piece of land in the countryside where he planned to build a house, but first, he needed a $40,000 loan to do so.
Shaffer went to the bank, where he met Nelson, who was highly impressed by Shaffer’s blueprints for his new home and immediately granted him the loan. At the time, Nelson was wearing his classic fit – a cowboy hat and bib overalls – which stood out from the typical banker attire but was “Poor Ole Rube’s” signature outfit.
“I always liked Rube,” Shaffer said. “He was a good guy – a real character.”
Nelson died in his Escondido home in 1991. In 2021, he was named one of eight “Escondido Legends.”
