MISSION VIEJO : Rain or Shine, the Walk Will Go On

It’s a party for about 4,000 teen-agers, and even rain won’t get in the way of this parade.

Rain or shine, the city’s second annual walk against drugs will take place today at 9 a.m., starting in front of Mission Viejo High School, 25025 Chrisanta Drive. Then, weather permitting, the second annual Teen Expo will take place at Oso Viejo Park, starting at noon near the intersection of Oso Viejo and La Paz Road.

“If it rains, you’ll see us out there with our yellow rain hats and umbrellas,” said Councilman William S. Craycraft of the walk, which drew about 3,000 participants last year. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to show Mission Viejo’s drug-free goal, and the sight of all those people walking down the hill near La Paz is beautiful.”

As of Friday, organizers of the expo were uncertain of their plans should it rain. If there is rain this morning, call (714) 348-2062 for an update on plans.

But expo officials are crossing their fingers, hoping for clear weather “because with all the holidays coming up, we really can’t be postponed.”

Nine public agencies from around the county are contributing to the event, including the cities of Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Irvine, Laguna Beach, and the recreation departments serving Dana Point and the Saddleback Unified School District.

Highlights of the day will be appearances by the Lakers and Rams cheerleaders, who will perform and sign autographs. Other celebrities scheduled will be Steve Sax, a White Sox baseball star, and Lark Voorhies from the television show “Saved by the Bell.”

There will be shows by magicians and local bands, and mimes will roam through the crowd. The expo will feature food and game booths, informational exhibits, skateboarding demonstrations and BMX bicycle trick-riding.

Drawings for prizes such as gift certificates, movie passes and premium cable channel service will take place every hour.

Not coincidentally, the expo takes place on the first day of Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide rally against drugs.

“It’s an opportunity to present positive drug-free alternatives,” expo co-chair Linda Teichmann said. “We want to foster awareness of the drug-use-is-life-abuse theme.”