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Community Corner

The Woman Behind the Fourth of July

AVCA's Recreation director has been planning the Aliso Viejo Fourth of July celebration since January.

Aliso Viejo Patch columnist Suzanne Chun spoke with the woman behind the upcoming : Wendy Casar, recreation director of the Aliso Viejo Community Association for 4½ years. 

Aliso Viejo Patch: What events do you organize for AVCA?

Wendy Casar: Spring Celebration, Arbor Day, July 4th Celebration and Fireworks, Concerts in the Park, Movies in the Park, Fall Harvest Festival, winter holiday event, seasonal children’s concerts and the AVCA booth at the city’s Founders Day event.

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Aliso Viejo Patch: When do you start planning the Fourth of July each year?

Casar: We start planning the event in January, so it takes a good six months to plan.

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Aliso Viejo Patch: What's involved with organizing this event?

Casar: I coordinate the fireworks, stage entertainment, police and fire services, selling of food and beverages by nonprofit groups, attendance of city officials and board members, writing the script for the emcee, taking entrants for the apple pie contest, obtaining sponsors, décor, restrooms, trash/recycle, maintenance, security, Marines, and the list continues on …

Aliso Viejo Patch: Approximately how many people attend each year?

Casar: 5,000 to 6,000 people. 

Aliso Viejo Patch: Do you have any funny or unusual stories about experiences you've had?                    

Casar: We have had some interesting pies enter the Homemade Apple Pie Contest before. One pie someone mixed up the sugar and salt. It was the saltiest pie ever! Another entry (different year) the individual added ginger to the recipe. It was definitely unique!

Aliso Viejo Patch: What part of your job is the most fun?

Casar: Seeing the event happen. After months of hard work and planning, it’s nice looking around on the day of the event and seeing people’s reactions and enjoyment.

Aliso Viejo Patch: What's the most challenging aspect?

Casar: Changing the event from year to year so people have a different experience. No one wants to come to the same event twice. The Events Committee is always thinking of ways of making the event bigger and better each year.

Aliso Viejo Patch: What role does the Events Committee play in organizing the Fourth of July event and other events during the year?

Casar: They provide ideas and make recommendations for the annual calendar of events. Committee members volunteer at each of the events and community outreach activities. They recommend genres and bands for summer concerts and select the movies shown in the summertime.

Aliso Viejo Patch: Who are the members of the Events Committee?

Casar: Ray De Leon, Channing Lindsay, Belinda Littlefield, Rod Rangel and Heidi Stoops.

Aliso Viejo Patch: Who cleans up Grand Park after the 4th of July event?

Casar: Myself, the Events Committee and family members, several volunteers and anyone else we can recruit. We always need more volunteers for cleanup.

Aliso Viejo Patch: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Casar: Seeing families come together to celebrate the holidays in their own community.

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If you’d like to volunteer to help with the Fourth of July Celebration in Grand Park, please stop by the AVCA booth (the booth closest to the stage) July 4 between 6 and 9:30 p.m.

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