What is happening Chula Vista! WOW, over the weekend, the 21st annual Cruise For The Cause car show made its grand return on Sunday, showcasing an impressive array of stunning vehicles at the Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista. I have been to past events and this year I think it was bigger. So many cool cars, motorcycles, bikes, and even little low-riding RC cars. The sun was shining and the community turned out for a great event.
You may be wondering, who’s behind this awesome event? Well, none other than DJ Xavier, also known as the “The X-man”, has been the mastermind behind the scenes since 2002.
This year’s event was a massive success, with a whopping 450 cars registered and a staggering $20,000 raised! But wait, it gets even better. Cruise For the Cause isn’t just about showcasing beautiful cars; it’s also about giving back to the community.
There were so many cool cars like this at the 2023 Cruise for the Cause event at the Otay Ranch Town Center.
Through car registrations alone, funds are raised for an incredible cause—the Emilio Nares Foundation. This local non-profit tirelessly provides free medical transportation for children battling cancer. And let me tell you, they’ve been doing it for almost 17 years now, thanks to the ongoing support from the car show.
But that’s not all! The car show also helped bring awareness to crucial initiatives such as blood donation and joining the bone marrow registry. Now that’s what I call making a positive impact!
2023 Cruise for the Cause event has raised over $150,000 throughout its history
In its entire history, Cruise For The Cause has raised an astounding $150,000 and counting in support of the Emilio Nares Foundation. Talk about a fantastic way to unite a community with a shared passion for cars and a mission to serve others.
Another beautiful car from the 2023 Cruise for the Cause event in Chula Vista.
So, if you’re a car lover looking to make a difference, mark your calendars for the next Cruise For The Cause event. Trust me, you won’t want to miss the incredible cars, the electrifying atmosphere, and the chance to help local children in need.
Make sure you keep on following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see all the cool events going on in the community.
Join us in exploring the highlights of the 21st Annual Cruise for the Cause Car Show, an extraordinary event pioneered by Magic 92.5’s renowned midday DJ, Xavier The X-Man. This spectacular gathering unfolded at the Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista on Sunday.
The journey of this event traces back to 2002, inspired by Xavier’s experience during a ride-along. What began as a quaint assembly of low-riders has magnificently evolved into a grand showcase featuring hundreds of low-riders, bicycles, custom cars, and an array of unique vehicles.
DJ Xavier The X-Man, a passionate radio personality deeply rooted in community service, envisioned a charitable cause combined with a love for vehicles. “As someone who’s dedicated to my community, I wanted to make a difference. The idea was simple – let’s use our passion for vehicles to raise funds that support children in need,” shared Xavier.
This community-centric event proudly supports the Emilio Nares Foundation, a commendable non-profit organization based in San Diego. They provide indispensable, free medical transportation services for children courageously fighting cancer.
Celebrating a significant milestone this year, DJ Xavier The X-Man announced that the event has successfully raised $30,000, marking a new achievement in their ongoing mission of hope and support. Join us in this video as we take you through the vibrant scenes of the car show and celebrate the spirit of giving back to the community.
Every year, the Chula Vista Lemon Festival is one of the most anticipated events in the community. From the delicious lemon treats to the live music and family-friendly activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. I love going to the event. Last year’s event was a little toned down, but this year, the Lemon Festival will be coming back bigger and better than before.
The District Manager of the Downtown Chula Vista Association, Dominic Li Mandri, expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the annual festival on Third Avenue. The Lemon Festival made a triumphant comeback last year following the pandemic, drawing in a remarkable number of attendees, reaching tens of thousands. It is truly remarkable to witness the community’s unwavering support for Downtown Chula Vista and their eagerness to commemorate its rich history. We eagerly anticipate the gathering of everyone again this year.
My family loves the Chula Vista Lemon Festival.
One of the things that makes the Lemon Festival so unique is the local vendors. From small Chula Vista businesses to lemon-infused treats and drinks, there is no shortage of ways to indulge. You’ll find everything from classic lemonade to creative concoctions like lemon lavender ice cream. You can also eat at one of the many food vendors. Last year I had the BBQ pulled sandwich, and that was delicious. It’s always one of my favorite Chula Vista events.
In addition to the delicious treats, the Lemon Festival boasts an impressive lineup of live music. Two stages will showcase a variety of genres, from rock to jazz and everything in between. Walking around the festival, you can enjoy the tunes while browsing arts and crafts vendors or entering games and prizes. The Chula Vista Downtown Association will usually host lemon-themed contests all day. Make sure you check out the schedule when you arrive.
Chula Vista Lemon Festival is always a community favorite.
One of the highlights of the Lemon Festival is the opportunity to witness the creative talent of local chalk artists. These artists transform the pavement into vibrant murals that capture the festival’s spirit. It’s a unique and impressive display that adds to the festive atmosphere. Not sure if they will be there this year, but I hope so.
Make sure you follow me on Instagram and Twitter for updates and videos from the event. Below are some photos from last year’s event.
The Lemon Festival celebrates Chula Vista’s history.
But the Lemon Festival isn’t just a celebration of delicious food and lively entertainment. It’s also a way to remember and honor the community’s agricultural heritage. Chula Vista was once filled with lemon orchards, and although many of those have been replaced with urban development, the memory of that history lives on. This festival is a way to pay tribute to the past while celebrating all the present’s good things.
We will see you at the 26th annual Chula Vista Lemon Festival.
This years event is August 12th, from 11 AM to 6 PM
The Chula Vista Lemon Festival is an event that truly captures the spirit of the community. It’s a time for families to come together and enjoy the simpler things in life: good food, music, and friends. After a year of uncertainty and isolation, this year’s festival is an opportunity to reconnect with friends and neighbors and celebrate all the things that make Chula Vista such a wonderful place to call home. Put August 12th on your calendar and come join in the fun – you won’t regret it!
Last night was the first time I have ever attended the Chula Vista 4th Fest event, which the city hosted at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. I’m a Chula Vista OG, so I remember the days of going to the J St. Marina to catch the fireworks show. Those were amazing, and the whole day was filled with live music, games, and even vendor booths. Since they canceled that back in 2007, it was; we would typically head downtown and catch the Big Bay Boom at the Embarcadero. This year we decided to give it a try and stay local.
I knew the city had been hosting this event at the training center for a few years now. What made me and my family skeptical about it was we only really heard a little feedback from it. I couldn’t even find any photos or videos from the event. One year, the city hired a team to fly drones over the show, and even then, you have yet to see the video from them. We were going in with open minds and hoping for a good performance.
Getting into the Chula Vista 4th Fest
One thing I did hear leading up to the Chula Vista 4th Fest event was the super limited parking at the training center. The gates opened at 7 PM, and you have been get in line early if you want to get a spot. We lived on the west side of Chula Vista and decided to head up at 6 PM to get in line. We arrived at 6:30, and the line to get in was already before Hunte Parkway, about a mile from the front gate. Others were posting on Twitter that the line reached all the way back to Olympic Parkway which is crazy.
It was smooth once the gates opened, and we started making our way in. I want to give a big shout-out to the parking attendants & Chula Vista Police for controlling it. They did a super job. I found a spot close to the front, which was a big plus.
The last time I was at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, it was called the Olympic Training Center. I knew they had plenty of open fields, so getting a spot wouldn’t be all that hard, well guess again. They only had the top section, and a little of the lower section opened up for seating. Why they didn’t open up more is beyond me. We were still pretty early, so I managed to find a good spot. However, if you got there later, finding a place on the grass was slim pickings.
The city did mention that they would have food trucks for the Chula Vista 4th Fest event. We decided to get food there and not bring it. That was a mistake. They only had four food trucks, and the lines to each of them were massive. I think there are still people in line to get their food right now. The taco truck had the longest line. There was also a Chick-Fil-A which was also long. Next year I hope they learn their lesson and get more food trucks.
I paid $20 for these tacos at the Chula Vista 4th Fest event
The fireworks show kicked off right at 9 PM, and it was great. I give them a big thumbs-up. The fireworks lasted about 18 minutes, and the crowd let off plenty of oh and ah’s during the performance. There was music playing from one of the local radio stations, but it was not in synch or anything. I think they shot them off at the track and field course, so it was right above us, which is nice.
As expected, getting out was a madhouse. Again, a big thank you to all the police and parking attendants for controlling the traffic. It took us some time to get out of there, but we made it back home.
The fireworks show at Chula Vista 4th Fest event were good.
My conclusion and rating on the Chula Vista 4th Fest
If I were to give the Chula Vista 4th Fest event a star rating, I would give it a solid 3 stars out of 5. I’m taking off two stars, one for the traffic and the other for the small setup. This location is not built for hosting a 4th of July show. Let’s credit the city for putting it together; However, they need to move it. The fireworks will likely return to the J St. Marina once the big resort is built. That is just my guess. I can’t see Gaylord building a massive resort and not having fireworks on the 4th of July. That is what I’m hoping for, at least, fingers crossed.
So, did you go to the event? If you did, please let me know what you thought of it and if you will return next year. My wife has plans on going back downtown to watch the fireworks. If we were going to go back, I might go to Mountain Hawk Park and watch them from there.
