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Parade, music, honors due at 2025 Park Fete
VH Fete
Active in many groups and organizations in the community, Adrian and Valerie Van Houten will be honored as this year’s Senior Mr. and Mrs. Escalon as part of the festivities during Park Fete Week, with a luncheon for them set for Tuesday, July 22. Photo Contributed

The calendar has turned to July … and that means Escalon’s Park Fete celebration isn’t very far off.

Preparations continue for the once-a-year citywide fest, with activities running July 22 through July 26 for the 2025 edition.

First, the Senior Mr. and Mrs. Escalon Luncheon will be hosted at the Escalon Community Center at noon on Tuesday, July 22.

This year’s honorees are Adrian and Valerie Van Houten. Blodgett Catering will put on the meal; tickets are available at $30 each and to purchase tickets, contact coordinator Gracie Marx at 209-988-5673 or email graciemrx@aol.com.

The following information regarding the honored couple was provided by Marx.

Adrian was born in Artesia, California and moved to Escalon in 1955. He grew up on a small dairy, milked cows and later helped on the family almond farm. He graduated from Ripon Christian Schools, MJC and Stanislaus State with a BA and MBA. Adrian is a credentialed as a CPA and volunteered as the accountant for Escalon Christian Reformed Church for over 40 years. He began as an accountant for the San Joaquin County Controller’s Office in 1974, was elected as Auditor Controller the years 1990-2012. He has also served on many boards, including: United Way of San Joaquin, Ripon Christian School Board-treasurer, San Joaquin County Employees Board of Retirement, Bethany Home Foundation-president and treasurer, Escalon Historical Society-treasurer, Escalon Christian Reformed Church-Elder and Deacon, Retired Public Employees of San Joaquin County-treasurer.

Valerie Weidert Van Houten was born in Ceres, California. Raised in Ripon, she graduated from Ripon High School. She worked at Gallo Winery for 11 years in the purchasing department and in the wine making department. Later on, Valerie was employed at Ripon Christian School as bookkeeper and secretary. Currently she plays the keyboard with the praise band at Escalon Christian Reformed Church.

Adrian and Valerie have been married for 49 years. They have four children, six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. They love traveling and have traveled seven times to England, taken three trips around Europe, visited many, many states and national parks. They also enjoy camping with their family.

The Miss Escalon Pageant, being coordinated by Renee Snow, is set for Wednesday, July 23 at the Escalon Community Center beginning at 6 p.m. Catering is by Mike’s Branding Iron and tickets are $35. Several candidates are vying for the title of Miss Escalon.

The Little Miss and Mr. Escalon Pageant begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 24 at the Escalon Community Center, seeking young ambassadors to represent the city.

Park Fete days are Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26.

Vendor booths will be opening Friday afternoon and the Corn Hole Tournament, hosted by Escalon Strong, begins at 6 p.m. in the Main Street parking lot, with registration getting underway at 5 p.m.; fee is $50 per team.

A new event, Bicycle Races, is being offered for kids on Friday, with age groups of 4 and under, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10, with registration starting at 5:30 p.m. and the races starting at 6:30 p.m.

The annual Park Fete Run, set for Saturday morning, July 26, is seeking participants. It is being timed by On Your Mark events and being organized by EscalonFit. Registration is $50, visit onyourmarkevents.com and click on the Park Fete link to register. The 10k runners will take off from El Portal Middle School on First Street at 7:30 a.m.; the 5k takes off at 7:45 a.m.; there will be prizes for the top three finishers in each race.

Bill Augusto will be Grand Marshal for the 2025 Park Fete Parade, which starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and is currently seeking entries. Contact Vince at 209-604-9100 or Barbara at 209-408-2576 to take part in the Saturday morning event.

Also during the day, running from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Escalon Poker Club will host a Poker Tournament at the Grange Hall with registration being accepted both Friday night and Saturday.

Friday entertainment on the Main Street stage includes Tony & The Tough Times, Western Bound and headliner 21 Nites.

At the stage on Saturday, the Escalon American Legion Post will present an Honor Guard ceremony immediately after the parade, followed by performances from the PowerHouse Dance groups.

Escalon Fire Department is scheduled to host some water spraying activities in the street once the dancers have concluded their program.

On stage during the day, scheduled Saturday performers include LilLana Cajias, Tony Freitas as Elvis, No Way Back and headliner Gotcha Covered, with one spot still open Saturday evening.

Throughout the two days of the Park Fete festival, there will be food and beverage vendors, merchandise and craft booths, activities and fun rides and games for kids, the Lions Club Beer Booth, and the chance to enjoy connecting with friends and neighbors in the relaxed Fete atmosphere.