Overview: Fall Back Festival

The free event in the streets surrounding the Davis-Horton House, located at 4th and Island Avenue, will take place from noon to 4 p.m.

It is time.

Just in case you weren’t aware: This is the weekend to change your clocks and “fall back” an hour.

But why not celebrate the change? To commemorate the time of the year, the Gaslamp Quarter will make time this weekend to celebrate the 25th Annual Fall Back Festival.

The free event is taking place from noon to 4 p.m. in the streets surrounding the Davis-Horton House, located at 4th and Island Avenue, this Sunday.

Among the attractions will be a pie-eating contest, butter churning and candle-making demonstration, a performance from the Kumeyaay Drum Circle, a blacksmith forging iron, a penny candy booth, and more.

Sunday’s event, which is presented by the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, offers a unique opportunity to experience the living history of San Diego.

Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation board president Brian Rickling said that the GQHF is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

“As caretakers of the Davis-Horton House Museum, the oldest standing structure in downtown, GQHF offers educational programming, tours, and cultural events that connect residents and visitors alike with the city’s vibrant past,” Rickling said. “Fall Back Festival is one of its signature events, offering a living history experience for the entire community.”

With people changing their clocks on Sunday, Deborah White with the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis Horton House said it is the perfect time of year to celebrate San Diego’s rich history.

“On this day, we invite the children and families of San Diego to ‘fall back’ in time to when San Diego was known as ‘New Town’, circa 1880,” White said, adding that the event is free and family-friendly.

“Behind the scenes, we are bringing awareness not only to the event but to the foundation and our commitment to preserving our history and architecture.”

While there is no cost to get into the event, there is a $5 “food and fun” ticket available for children who wish to try their hand at candle-making or quilting, sample a penny candy booth, or try root beer floats, fresh popped popcorn, or hot dogs.

Picture all the family fun you can have at this Sunday’s Fall Back Festival. (Photo courtesy of Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation)

There is also a variety of games and crafts. There’s even a “fishing hole” where the youngsters can “catch” fish.

Adults can get in on the fun too, with pie-eating, bubblegum-blowing, spaghetti-eating, and ice cream-eating contests. Each family can pose in old-time clothing at the 360 photo booth for a fun way for everyone to participate.

As with any big undertaking, volunteers are critical to its success.

“The festival brings together over 15 volunteers on the day of the event to ensure every activity runs smoothly,” White said. “They serve the food, pop the corn, assist with the photo booth, and make sure each child gets to enjoy the multitude of games, crafts, and contests.”

One of the participants in this Sunday’s event will be the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which will have a presence at the festival.

The museum serves as the community memory of San Diego’s seafaring experience by collecting, preserving, and presenting the area’s maritime heritage and historic connections with the Pacific world.

Theresa Smullen, the museum’s director of marketing and public relations, said this will be their first year at the festival.

“Participants will meet and enjoy learning history and knot-tying techniques from a few of our most treasured volunteers,” Smullen said. “From our docent volunteers, to sail crew, to maintenance, library research, and more, we are honored to have the dedication and talent of these treasured and dedicated community members.”

If you’re hoping to take a step back in history after setting your clocks back this Sunday, the Fall Back Festival could be worth your time.

“The streets surrounding the historic Davis-Horton House at 4th & Island Avenue will come alive with reenactments, demonstrations, and historic games, letting families step into the shoes of early San Diegans,” GQHF’s Rickling said.

“This is living history in the Gaslamp.”

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