Double treat: Summerfest and the city’s 60th anniversary celebration
It’s time for Summerfest!
The city’s annual four-day celebration will be held this week -- June 22-25 -- at the Fountain Valley Sports Park.
You’ll have an opportunity to experience great food, entertainment, fun carnival rides. And this year, the city is also celebrating its 60th anniversary with a Friday night fireworks show and a Saturday morning parade.
The fireworks show will be staged Friday evening, and a VIP Cocktails and Fireworks Viewing Party is planned. Cost is $25, which includes appetizers and two drink tickets (beer or wine).
The next morning, the city’s 60th Anniversary Parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Heil Avenue. The parade starts at Magnolia Street and concludes inside the Fountain Valley Sports Park after crossing Brookhurst Street.
Longtime Fountain Valley resident and Hall of Fame sportscaster Ed Arnold is the grand marshal.
About 80 entries have been lined up for the parade, including both the Fountain Valley High Royal Regiment and District Band, the Los Amigos High School Marching Band, various youth groups, schools, churches, non-profits and businesses.
Here are four things you might not know -- but should know -- about this year’s Summerfest.
1. The number of rides is being increased from 24 to 30, including Vertigo, a 120-foot-high swing ride.
2. Local nonprofits this year will be matched up with professional food vendors like Rita’s Italian Ice, Beignet Belly, Al’s BBQ, Hawaiian Dancing Chicken and more.
3. All-day ride wristbands are $30 on Friday and Sunday and $35 on Saturday. Presale wristbands purchased on line or at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center are discounted $5 if purchased by the end of the day, June 22.
4. The annual Classic Car & Truck Show starts at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 24 and will be underway when the parade ends.
Here’s a quick day-by-day rundown of what’s on tap:
Thursday, June 22 Hours are 5-10 p.m. and all rides are $1. Enjoy the food offerings of several food trucks and listen to the music of Kulayd, which will perform at 6 p.m.,
Friday, June 23 Hours are 5-11 p.m. Entertainment: Karaoke Rock Starz starting at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks show will be held in the evening at dusk.
Saturday, June 24 Hours: Open until 11 p.m. The Fountain Valley Classic Car & Truck Show starts at 7 a.m. The city will hold a 60th Anniversary Parade featuring, bands, nonprofits, businesses and more. The parade begins at 9 a.m. and runs form Magnolia Street to the Brookhurst Street entrance of the Sports Park. Entertainment: Upstream (noon-2 p.m.); Mark Easterday and the 40oz Band (3-5 p.m.); Fenians (6-8 p.m.); and Fortunate Sons (9-11 p.m.).
Sunday, June 25 Hours, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Entertainment: Jason Lohrke as Early Neil Diamond (1:30-3:30 p.m.); Flashback Heart Attack (4:30-6:30 p.m.): DSB (7:30-9:30 p.m.)
Entry to Summerfest is free, but parking is $5.
More information: (714) 839-8611.
