Celebrating the Good Old Days

For 20 years, the Corona family has produced onions, corn, eggplant and other row crops. People flock to buy their fresh veggies, so the family is even forgoing the roadside stand for a “farmer’s village.”

But how much longer the 165-acre farm will survive has less to do with sales than with development. The Corona Ranch is the last of the row crop farms in Temecula, says Rose Corona, who works the farm with parents James and Mary and brother Stephen. Subdivisions have been built or are planned on each side. “We want to keep agriculture alive,” she says, “so we’re putting on these history events.”

This is the second year that the Indian and Pioneer Days--and other popular, history-themed events for spring and fall--has been held to teach future generations about farming. The Indian and Pioneer Days take place Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Entertainment includes tribal, bear and Aztec dancers; demonstrations of hide-tanning for tepees (a dozen tepees will be set up); archery and arrowhead-making, and other crafts. On the Pioneer side, there will be covered wagons, hayrides, wool-spinning, weaving and woodcarving. Barbecue, fry bread and refreshments will be offered.

“We want to show that things didn’t always happen the way they do in the movies,” Rose Corona says. “The pioneers couldn’t have settled without the Indians’ help.”

Corona Ranch and Farmers Village, 33320 Highway 79 S., exit Highway 79/Indio, Temecula. Admission is $5; children under 12 and seniors, $3. (909) 676-5006.