Mother Nature is expected to cooperate with this year's Summerfest in Grimston Park - much to the delight of organizers and residents alike.
A group of citizens launched Summerfest in 2010 to celebrate the grand reopening of the renovated playground at Grimston Park.
The 2010 and 2012 events were a hit, but the 2011 celebration had to be cancelled because of rain.
"We are promised really good weather," said MaryAnn Mortensen, who has been organizing the event along with Lana Wakelam, Sloane Drennan and Briana Tomkinson. "Mother Nature has said she will cooperate."
Summerfest takes place at Grimston Park on Saturday, July 13 from 3 p.m. to midnight.
The free event features live musical entertainment, old-fashioned games, including a balloon toss, wheelbarrow races, potato sack races and tug of war and face painting.
"There may be some karaoke which might be fun," Mortensen said. "There might be an open mike. That will be fun if we get that going."
Folks from The Stage New Westminster musical theatre day camp will be hosting activities for the kids.
"We have the extended wading pool hours until 8 o'clock with a life guard," Mortensen noted. "The kids love it."
Several food vendors will be on site, providing festivalgoers with options, including burgers, pizza, mini donuts and ice cream.
"It's a really family-friendly event," Mortensen said. "You are welcome to bring your own food, but we will have food on site."
Families are invited to bring a blanket or chairs and set up on the field where a movie will be shown on a big screen. Popcorn will be available for the movie.
"We are going to be presenting The NeverEnding Story at dark," Mortensen said. "We select from a list of approved movies. Obviously we want to pick a genre that kids can enjoy and parents can enjoy."
Grimston Park is located on Seventh Avenue near 19th Street.
During the festival, Seventh Avenue will be closed to traffic between 18th and 20th streets.
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