Rural Center Will Be Site of Two Big Events on Saturday

The Antelope Menifee Rural Center is a small building that stands alone next to open fields along Haun Road. For most of the week, it's a quiet place.

Not this Saturday.

Residents and guests have two opportunities to participate in activities that feature both the history and the future of the Menifee Valley. Those with the time and ambition can enjoy the benefits of both.

At 9:30 a.m., the Menifee Valley Historical Association will offer a special presentation on the Native American legacy of the area. Paul Price, a Canyon Lake artist and expert on Native American history in Riverside County, will display Indian artifacts from the area. Guests are invited to bring Indian artifacts they have found on their property for examination by Price. This event will take place inside the Rural Center.

Price was instrumental in educating the public on the history of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, who have occupied land in the Menifee Valley for thousands of years. He will share his knowledge of local Native American history and will discuss local Indian landmarks that still exist. Historical Association members invite guests to attend and they expect this to be one of the group's biggest turnouts.

Outside the building, beginning at 10 a.m.,a bike safety rodeo will be held for young people who wish to participate in a bicycle obstacle course, receive a safety check on their bike and enjoy activities including face painting, balloon animals, food, music and a raffle. The event runs until 2 p.m. After the completion of the Historical Association meeting, guests of the bike rodeo will be allowed inside the building for a pedestrian safety magic show conducted by "Mister Porkpie."

The bike rodeo is a community service project created and coordinated by Nikkolas Baker, a student at Santa Rosa Academy, with support from Boy Scout Troop 444, city councilman Tom Fuhrman and the Menifee Youth Foundation.

Parking at the location is very limited, so guests are advised to arrive early and follow the directions of Boy Scouts to parking along the street and in adjacent areas. The address of the Rural Center is 31850 Haun Road, near the intersection of Haun and Garbani Road.