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Lakewood's 2018 SummerFEST

A free outdoor festival with sporting events, extreme entertainment and more

Bubble soccer fun at Lakewood’s annual SummerFEST. Photo credit: City of Lakewood

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Lakewood's annual SummerFEST will be held Saturday, July 14, at Fort Steilacoom Park. The whole family will enjoy this free event that's packed with entertainment, sports, food and fun.

SummerFEST kicks off with a sprint triathlon at 9 a.m. followed by a Run Forrest Run 5k and 10k race at 11 a.m. Participants receive a "Gump Style" beard with registration. Kids can get in on the action with a one-mile fun run at 12:30 p.m.

Entertainment begins at 11 a.m. with an opening ceremony complete with Taiko drummers and a dragon dance. Trampoline performers, trapeze artists, stilt walkers and local bands including Spike & The Impalers will perform throughout the day. You can also shop for unique items at 150 market vendors and taste delicious treats from more than 30 food trucks.

Kids can show off their building skills in a Lego Contest (must be pre-registered) and head to The Kids Zone, where they can jump in bounce houses, scamper up a climbing wall and ride a pony.

"SummerFEST has been going on for 22 years, but just in the last two years has the audience exploded to 30,000 people," said Sally Gilpin Martinez, City of Lakewood Parks and Recreation manager. "This is thanks to the many partners we have joined forces with to bring quality sports and art activities to the event. We don't just book acts, we ask our partners to put intention into their event to create a worthwhile and maybe even life-changing experience for our attendees. We make sure that each activity engages every age group from toddlers to adults -- and especially teens, who are so often overlooked at festivals. Last year, a favorite teen activity was bubble soccer, which was a new addition."

As part of her commitment to active living, Martinez has assembled more than 25 sports and art stations for families to sample new fitness activities and get creative. Visitors will receive a free Passport to Sports & Art that can be stamped at each station.

"All ages can try out golf, tennis, soccer, football, yoga, fencing, kick boxing, beach volleyball, disc golf, Tae Kwon Do, trapeze and more," Martinez said. "We want families to walk away inspired from trying something new and perhaps find a sport they are newly passionate about and want to further pursue. We know that not all families can afford to have their kids take lessons in multiple sports to see which one they like best. Our hope is that the passport will let kids do just that at no cost."

After filling your passport and being amazed by the high-flying acts, stick around for the evening schedule, which includes the Fire Fighter Life Line Rescue Dog Calendar launch, a pet parade, hip-hop dance performance, and the family-friendly movie Coco on an outdoor screen.

Fort Steilacoom Park is a 340-acre park in Lakewood with a fort-themed playground, expansive dog park, obstacle course, and miles of biking and hiking trails.

To learn more and register for events, visit cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation/summerfest or contact Sally Gilpin Martinez at 253.983.7758 or smartinez@cityoflakewood.us.

Fort Steilacoom Park, 9 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 8714 87th Ave. SW, Lakewood, cityoflakewood.us

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