A pot-belly pig named Bubbles will be among the attractions, performers will take two stages, and organizers are hoping the community shows up big for animals in need when the fourth annual Rockin’ Robin Music Fest returns to Ramona on Sunday, Oct. 11. The theme this year is “Red, White & Rescue,” and the event once again serves as a fundraiser for Robin’s Nest Rescue.
DoSD lists the festival hours as 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with gates opening at 10 a.m. The paper describes this year’s event as family-friendly, with musicians, dancing, community sing-alongs, animal encounters, demonstrations, a Kids Zone, interactive activities, auctions, a water balloon dunk tank, food vendors and craft vendors all part of the mix.
Music is central to the day, with performers spread across two stages and dancing encouraged throughout, per the Union-Tribune's report. The lineup includes Ashley E. Norton, Chloe Lou, Mark Torpey, Miranda Ramos, Thea the Band, MDG & the Del Sols, Blue Healers, Southern Mayhem, Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls San Diego and returning Chicago artist Eddy Green, according to an event listing from dosd.com.
Opening Ceremony and Patriotic Flourishes
Chloe Lou is set to sing the national anthem for the opening ceremony at 11 a.m., with San Diego State University Air Force ROTC serving as color guard, the Union-Tribune's article notes. At 12:30 p.m., the Temecula Cowgirls Parade and Drill Team will perform a patriotic routine on horseback.
The festival will also include a patriotic flag mural dedicated to veterans and the military, which guests can add pieces to throughout the day. That ties into Robin's Nest Rescue's broader mission: the nonprofit sanctuary for rescued animals, located in Ramona, provides therapeutic animal experiences.
More Than 25 Rescued Animals on Site
The rescue's animals are a major draw at the festival, and organizers say more than 25 rescued animals will be present, including a pot-belly pig, a miniature horse, an alpaca, blue heeler dogs and a tortoise. Among them will be Bubbles, a pot-belly pig known for his tricks.
Guests can also watch Rachelle Hancock demonstrate wool spinning from fiber sourced from the rescue's own alpacas, with that demonstration running from noon to 2 p.m. A separate tribute is planned as well: Ashley E. Norton will perform a Craig Fischer tribute from 4:35 to 5:05 p.m.
Activities, Auctions and a Dunk Tank
Kids can paint small clay alpacas, make animal trading cards, and visit a DIY succulent planting station and a new Sound Garden for making music. A pet caricature artist will also draw pictures of guests' pets, though attendees are asked to bring a photo of their pet on their phone for that station.
For those looking to cool off — or cool someone else off — the water balloon dunk tank lets guests pay to dunk or throw balls for a possible dunk. Silent and live auctions round out the fundraising side of the day; the silent auction includes a custom skateboard from Sector 9, a large blue flag from MetalWorks and watercolor paintings from Kevin Liddell, while the live auction features weekend getaway packages.
Food, Tickets and Getting There
Surf Me a Taco will provide food from a food truck, and organizers say drinks including non-alcoholic beer, beer, wine and bar drinks will be available. About a dozen vendors are expected in total.
Ticket pricing has been described in slightly different terms across listings. The Union-Tribune reports general admission early-bird tickets at $30, $35 at the gate, with early VIP tickets at $125 and VIP tickets at $150 at the gate. Dosd.com's listing instead advertises a broader $10 to $125 range, with youth tickets at $10 and children age 5 and under admitted free.
A Festival That Has Grown Each Year
The festival debuted in 2023. By 2025, it was in its third annual edition. This year, the festival will feature performers across two stages.
Robin's Nest Rescue attained nonprofit status in 2023, according to San Diego Magazine.
Kimber Williams, founder and president of Robin's Nest Rescue, said fundraising has been especially challenging with the economy this year, and that contributions received are especially meaningful. More details on tickets and the schedule are available through Robin's Nest Rescue's event page.
