Fiesta Days parades, Saturday nights at the Vacaville Theatre, and Bulldogs and Wildcats everywhere.

Exquisite food coupled with the wonder and whimsy of the world-famous Nut Tree restaurant. Beating the heat at The Blue Lagoon Waterslide Park or getting lost in the giant maze, The Wooz. Trips to the burger joints on "Hamburger Hill" while the scent of dehydrating onions from the Basic Vegetable Products plant wafted through the air. Savoring Vasquez Deli burritos with the radio station tuned to KUIC. Celebrating with hometown heroes Super Bowl Champion Jarrett Bush, World Series MVP Jermaine Dye and iconic rock band Papa Roach.

Author and accidental historian Tony Wade leads this vivid tour through bygone Vacaville.

Tony Wade came to Fairfield in 1976 and never left. In 2006, Wade began writing columns for the Daily Republic and became an accidental historian when he started "Back in the Day." Wade has written three previous books, and his hope for this book is that it's a number-one Merchant Street Bestseller. Wade's only picture in the Vacaville Reporter did not make the cut for this book. He lives in Fairfield with his wife, Beth, and their Chiweenie, Chunky Tiberius Wade. Reach him at toekneeweighed@gmail.com.