Rope In the Weekend with the Poway Rodeo and an Art Tour

We’ve reached the end of summer and it’s time to celebrate the first weekend of fall. Friday marks the first day of autumn and the weekend forecast promises cool weather with some clouds to boot. Enjoy the new season with some fun events and activities for you and the family. We’ve got the best bets, near and far, listed below.

This weekend, Sept. 23-25, get out in Poway and watch a dance ensemble, see a rodeo, and learn something new. You can also take an art studio tour and travel around town to see local artists’ masterpieces.

Looking for some travel time? Head over the hill to Ramona for an airport open house and check out cool and rare planes, head west to UCSD for a comical concert or head south to Santee for a bluegrass and wine festival. Point Loma is hosting the San Diego County Beer Fair on Saturday.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: , 15498 Espola Rd., Poway, 7 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: See the Unity Dance Ensemble perform a blend of dances in Virtuosity.
• Price: $20-$25.

• When/where: Poway Valley Riders Association Grounds, 14336 Tierra Bonita Rd, Poway, 7:30 p.m. Friday (gates open at 6 p.m.); 1 p.m. Saturday (gates open at 11:30 a.m.).
• Why go: It’s the Poway Rodeo! Visit the show for some roping, steering, bareback riding and more.
• Price: $5-$53.

• When/where: , 16955 Bernardo Oaks Dr., San Diego, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Travel around Rancho Bernardo (and Poway) and visit more than 20 local award-winning artists at nine different locations. You’ll get a map and directions and spend the day browsing local masterpieces.
• Price: $10.

• When/where: , 14134 Midland Rd. #A, Poway, 1 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: It’s Slow Jam Sunday, where you bring your instruments and to Old Poway Park and have Poway Folk Circle teach you new songs and then jam together.
• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: The Loft at , 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, 8 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Watch Garfunkel & Oates, two girls from Pennsylvania that act, sing and provide lots of laughs while they do it.
• Price: $6-$20.

• When/where: Ramona Airport, 2926 Montecito Rd., Ramona, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Enjoy Ramona Airport’s 54th annual Open House and check out airplanes from WWII, experimental planes, helicopters and more. “Big Jimmy,” a 1939 Fire Truck that was built for the La Mesa Fire Department, will also be on display. Food will be available for purchase.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , intersection of Riverwalk Drive and Cuyamaca Street, Santee, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Enjoy life’s simple pleasures at this Bluegrass and Wine Festival. Sip on wine, munch on cheese, and tap your foot to some twang. A silent auction will also be held.
• Price: $35.

• When/where: 2750 Womble Rd., San Diego, noon-4 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: It’s the San Diego County Beer Fair, where you can sample 12 beers, taste samples of food, meet brewers and more.
• Price: $35-$50.