A rodeo, a Grammy-winning soul legend and a street festival lead a busy two weeks of community events across Poway, Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch.

Here's what's on the calendar from Thursday, Sept. 24, through Thursday, Oct. 8.

Poway Rodeo: Sept. 25–26

The Poway Rodeo returns Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Poway Valley Riders Association Arena, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with the performance at 7:30 p.m. and an after party from 10 p.m. to midnight. Saturday starts at 10 a.m. with Sam's Posse Roundup Rodeo for children with disabilities, followed by a 1 p.m. performance and a 7:30 p.m. evening show. The event has run since 1973 and draws more than 12,000 attendees, according to the rodeo's website. Tickets start at $35; children under 5 are free. All purchases are cashless. As we reported Sept. 16, this year's rodeo includes a legacy tribute and expanded kids' programming.

Mavis Staples at Poway Center: Sept. 27

Poway On Stage presents Mavis Staples at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Staples, 86, is the lone surviving member of the Staple Singers and a Kennedy Center Honoree. She won two Grammy Awards in February for "Beautiful Strangers" and "Godspeed," bringing her solo career total to five, Block Club Chicago reported.

"My voice is my gift from God," Staples said in a press release quoted by Block Club Chicago in February. "If I don't use it, I'm abusing my gift."

Tickets are $84–$104, with discounts for seniors, military, students and youths. Call 858-748-0505 or visit powayonstage.com.

Poway Fall Festival: Oct. 4

The Poway Fall Festival runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, on Midland Road between Poway Road and Hilleary Place. The free street fair features hundreds of vendors, live music, kids' activities, a classic car show and a beer and wine garden, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune's events listing. Call the Poway Chamber of Commerce at 858-748-0016.

Candidates forum: Sept. 28

A Poway City Council candidates forum is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Six candidates are running in the Nov. 3 election: incumbent Mayor Steve Vaus against challengers Jenny Maeda and Dellena Olps, Christopher Pikus uncontested in District 1, and incumbent Peter De Hoff against Bob Walder in District 3, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The forum is free and open to the public.

More events, Sept. 24–Oct. 8

  • Thursday, Sept. 24: Historian Mark Carlson discusses the Doolittle Raid and Battle of Midway, 1:30 p.m., Gateway Park Senior Living, 12751 Gateway Park Road, Rancho Bernardo. $6 members, $8 nonmembers. Register at cecrb.com.
  • Friday, Sept. 25: St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church rummage, bake and plant sale, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. (also Saturday, Sept. 26), 16275 Pomerado Road, Poway.
  • Friday, Sept. 25: Bingo night, San Rafael Catholic Church Parish Hall, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo. Doors at 6:30 p.m., play at 7 p.m. $10 for eight games.
  • Saturday, Sept. 26: VFW Post 7907 "Ribapalooza" fundraiser, noon–3 p.m., 12342 Old Pomerado Road, Poway. Drive-thru only. $45 whole rack, $23 half rack. Call 858-748-7907.
  • Thursday, Oct. 1: Rancho Bernardo Community Council virtual meeting, 6:30 p.m. Visit RBCommunityCouncil.com for the link.
  • Friday, Oct. 2–Saturday, Oct. 3: Seven Oaks Community Library book sale, Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo. Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Most items $1 or less. Cash only.
  • Saturday, Oct. 3: Drive-thru food collection, 9–11 a.m., Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, 17010 Pomerado Road. Donations go to the Salvation Army food pantry.
  • Saturday, Oct. 3: Rendezvous in Poway, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (also Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.), Old Poway Park. Gold panning and historical re-enactors. Call 858-668-4576.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 6: 4S Ranch Library Open Mic Night, 5:30–7 p.m., 10433 Reserve Drive. Free. Five-minute limit per person.
  • Thursday, Oct. 8: Poway Unified School District Board of Education meeting, 6 p.m., 15250 Avenue of Science, Carmel Mountain Ranch. Agenda at powayusd.com.