The Saga of the “Welcome to Monte Rio Vacation Wonderland” Sign
Episode 1
Since 2004, the “Welcome to Monte Rio” sign hung from a cable above the street next to the Rio Theater. Weighing more than 700 pounds the sign began to pull the cable’s retaining poles inward, creating the cables to sag, resulting in large trucks hitting and denting the sign.
The firemen of the Monte Rio Fire District were able to lower the sign and have the poles straightened, but they could not re-mount the sign. The sign was first stored in the Monte Rio Theater for a year, and then moved to Fire Chief Baxman’s property across the street. It was estimated the sign could be re-hung “as is” for $1,500. The Friends of Monte Rio, with help from the Friends of Villa Grande, were able to raise twice as much money during the June RioFest celebration.
However, since June there have been new issues and problems.
Fire Chief Steve Baxman fell the week after Riofest, and a small Monte Rio Sign Committee was formed to help Steve with the logistics of re-hanging the sign: Marina McTaggart, Administrator of the Monte Rio Recreation and Park District, Fran Levy, Treasurer of Friends of Monte Rio, and Roberto Esteves, Executive.Director of Friends of Villa Grande.
Long-time Villa Grande resident Rich Holmer suggested that the original neon lettering “Welcome to Vacation Wonderland” should be repaired before re-hanging the sign. Half of the neon letters no longer worked before the sign was taken down. A local person (Gary of JL Signs) who had repaired the neon in the past was no longer available, and since July the Committee has been seeking another neon repair agent. We are now waiting for a couple of quotes to repair of the neon letters. At least one of these companies may also be able to re-hang the sign.
