To say it is going to be a hectic weekend in Escalon would actually be an understatement.
Multiple events are planned, starting with the annual ceremony at the Escalon Fire Station to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001 – this year marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon. That ceremony will begin Friday, Sept. 11 at 9:11 a.m., at the firehouse on Coley Avenue, and all in the community are encouraged to attend.
Also featured will be the annual Battle of 120 for the coveted trophy in the football game between cross county line rivals Escalon and Oakdale on Friday evening, Sept. 11.
Escalon took the inaugural game in 2023 but Oakdale grabbed the trophy in 2024 and retained it in 2025, as the teams meet in preseason play. Escalon is in the Trans-Valley League, Oakdale in the Valley Oak League, so they battle for the ‘120 Cup’ during preseason.
The host Cougars head into the game 0-2; Oakdale won its preseason opener but lost this past week, so they come in at 1-1.
“I think we’re a game away from flipping this team’s trajectory on its head,” Escalon head coach Andrew Beam said of his varsity squad. “This is naturally a great game with two storied programs. We’ve played two really good football teams (Liberty Ranch and Chavez) and we were right there at the end.”
The Cougars will look to make a solid push to get a win on the board and point their season in the right direction.
“I think this is the perfect setting; it’s 9/11, we will be wearing our camouflage jerseys from the National Guard, we will have a flag from the 49ers,” Beam said of the pageantry that will surround the game, even beyond what takes place on the gridiron.
The evening will also feature an extended halftime, with cheer squads from each school performing, and recognition for the 1996 State Champion football team from Escalon.
“We’ll have on field recognition for them, a video tribute,” Beam said of the team 30 years ago that went 13-0 to earn the state title.
Kickoff for the varsity game on Sept. 11 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Also expected to be in attendance at the game – and enjoying a variety of festivities around the community during the weekend – will be members of the Class of 1976 from EHS, celebrating their 50-year reunion this weekend. Classmates plan to attend the football game, many also expect to stop by the Escalon Lions Autumn Cruise on Saturday, with a special evening dinner planned for the class that night and an informal time for visiting on Sunday as they reflect on their years at EHS and share where life has taken them.
Saturday, Sept. 12 serves up the American Legion pancake breakfast at the Post on Second Street from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., $15 tickets available at the door, offered in cooperation with the Lions Club downtown cruise. Hundreds of classic cars and trucks will take up residence in the city’s Main Street Park on Saturday for the show. All proceeds benefit the Escalon Lions Club scholarship program for graduating Escalon seniors. Along with the car show, there will be music, multiple vendor booths, a lunch presented by the Lions Club, and plenty of trophies awarded in a variety of categories. All are encouraged to stop by the park on Saturday to enjoy the show. This year marks the 30th annual event put on by the Lions Club.
The Autumn Cruise opens around 8 a.m. – though many cars are already lined up and on display before then – and runs until mid-afternoon.
Saturday evening, Saron Lutheran Church on North Street will be the site for a fundraiser, as the church puts on its annual Bunco Night. The event starts with a baked potato bar for dinner, beginning at 4:30 p.m., followed by the games starting at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $25 per person and cover the cost of dinner and the Bunco games. Additionally, attendees can purchase tickets for prize drawings and for a quilt drawing.
All proceeds of the event benefit the Escalon Ministerial Association holiday food voucher program.
