By Gary Meyer

Lilacs blooming all over the mountain have been trumpeting the arrival of the festival and parade named in their honor. The 32nd Annual Lilac Festival kicks off Saturday, May 17 at 9 a.m. The parade gets underway at 10:45 a.m. sharp, so be there early to get a place to park. The festival hours are Saturday and Sunday, 9-5.

Big news this year is that the helicopter rides are back. Aspen Helicopters will land its Bell 407 on the field in Lampkin Park and accept passengers during Saturday and Sunday (see below for details).
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UPDATE Aspen Helicopter’s Bell 407 has been called up to help fight the fires in San Diego County this weekend. If things change, they will be at Lilac Festival, but as of Friday afternoon, they had been requested to report to assist in the firefighting effort. See letter below.
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Kids will fling themselves skyward on a giant acrobat hoist, bounce themselves silly, plummet down an inflatable slide, play games hosted by Peak to Peak Mountain Charter School, join in the May Pole dance and watch the ‘Kids, Critters and Country’ show with Allie Jo Thomas at the Gazebo.

It will all happen while live music fills the clean, pine-scented air. Come out for the fun.

Photo caption:

From the memory books: The Pine Mountain Rockettes and one Cub Scout with Bugs Bunny at a Lilac Festival of the past. This Saturday, the 32nd Annual Lilac Festival Parade opens at 10:45 a.m. sharp. Be early!
Note from Aspen Helicopter to the community:
May 16, 2014
Dear Editor:
As I expected, we received another Dispatch from the SOCAL Fire Operations Center and I will be leaving shortly with our INFRARED capable helicopter.
Because of this, we will be unable to come to the Lilac Festival, as this was my last aircraft available.
Please accept our apologies for missing what is sure to be a great event, with perfect weather. I hope there is a great attendance and everyone has a great time.
It seems fire season is earlier and earlier each year, and the conflict with timing is unfortunate.
Rick Throckmorton, Aspen Helicopters, Inc.
Pine Mountain (and Oxnard)

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This is part of the May 16, 2014 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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