Fourth of July 'Dream Come True' Marriage Proposal Sets Off Fireworks

Pleasanton, CA — He says he fell for her after she made him a cupcake for his birthday in 2011. Five years later, on bended knee and in front of thousands of fairgoers watching from the racetrack stands on the Fourth of July, he asked her to marry him. For Kara Wasserman, it was a dream come true. Groom-to-be Raul Escobedo says it is finally sinking in.

"Kara’s dream was to get engaged at the track with a full crowd (dreams do come true)," Alameda County Fair Marketing Manager Angel Moore told Patch.

According to Moore, this was no ordinary engagement. This was an elaborate proposal concocted for more than a year. The catch? Keep the epic public proposal a secret from not only Wasserman but also her mother. And Wasserman's mother is the director of racing at the fairgrounds.

The proposal, which took place on the iconic racetrack inside the fairgrounds, went down after the final Fourth of July horse race and before the popular fair fireworks display.

"My heart is finally staying in my chest," Escobedo said.

Wasserman and Escobedo have worked at the Alameda County Fairgrounds for years. The couple, who live in Brentwood, met in 2007 when Wasserman started as an intern.

"She has been my best friend since the first day I met her," Escobedo said.

Escobedo says Wasserman has been a role model and bonus mom to his two daughters.

When asked about the cupcake powerful enough to win his heart forever, Escobedo says that was the moment when he knew it was special.

"It was one of those huge cupcakes about 10 times the size of a regular cupcake," Escobedo said, laughing. "The way to a man's heart really is through their stomach!"

Escobedo says the happy couple have not yet set a date.

"Whatever makes her happy," he said.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Photos, video courtesy Alameda County Fair