As the late autumn sun began to set, the picturesque Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club made an ideal setting for Don Diego Scholarship Foundation’s October 25, 2025 festive Hoedown. Appareled in elevated western attire, including glitzy boots, cowboy hats, and elegant suede, guests were treated to an open bar, delicious BBQ, Johnny Cash tribute band, line dancing, and warm conviviality.
Don Diego Chair Kirby Morrison stated, “We intentionally kept ticket prices low so we could show eventgoers a wonderful time while kickstarting our fundraising for the Class of 2026 college scholarship program.” Applications will go live in January.
In addition to several Don Diego Board members, the Hoedown attracted local notables such as Mary Alario, chair of the Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund. Pointing out the commonalities between the two organizations, Alario commented, “We have a fantastic community that really steps up for people in our region.”
Among the guests new to Don Diego events were Matt Danielson and Lindsey Dezalen, who confided they did their homework before attending: “We are impressed with the good things Don Diego does for college students and Plant*Grow*Eat bus sponsorship program.” When they learned bus sponsors are invited to attend the memorable spring day at the Del Mar Fairgrounds to enjoy watching elementary school kids dig into bees and worms and radishes and all things agriculture, they said, “We’re in!”
The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation was named for Don Diego, AKA Tom Hernandez, who served as San Diego County Fair’s welcoming goodwill ambassador from 1947-1984. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded $1,510,344 in scholarships to 434 students and in Plant*Grow*Eat agriculture education grants, which enable elementary students from San Diego area Title 1 schools to learn about agriculture and nutrition while enjoying a day at the Fairgrounds.