Salute to Recreation Festival Returns!

Mark your calendars for the 26th annual Salute to Recreation Family Festival! This year's Salute, held at Northridge Park, will open on May 30th and run through June 1st.

Sponsored by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and Councilmember Greig Smith, the Salute will feature carnival games and rides, inflatable moon bounces and four separate stages offering continuous live entertainment. International food booths, a tennis tournament, a petting zoo and the ever-popular Hawaiian Village will be open as well.

The first Salute in 1982, was attended by 50,000 Valley residents. Last year's attendance topped 80,000. The Salute offers patrons a chance to experience the fun of a good old-fashioned small-town festival right here in the heart of the Valley.

In addition to rides and free entertainment, kids can participate in cookie decorating or making an arts and crafts project. The Children's Stage will feature performances by singers and dancers, as well as magic acts. Teen night will be Friday night with discount coupons for carnival rides available at www.laparks.org/salute. There will also be an open skateboard area with ramps and rails.

There's plenty for adults too, ranging from music on the International, Hawaiian and Center Stages, International Marketplace, and food booths. The North Valley Regional Chamber will be sponsoring a silent auction, a health and business fair and their Senior Cluster will be co-sponsoring the 50+ dance held on Friday evening.

On Saturday night, patrons will be dazzled by a fantastic fireworks display.

General admission is free with tickets available for purchase for carnival games and rides, petting zoo, inflatables and many more exciting activities. Food will also be available for purchase. Parking on- site costs $3. Persons with disabilities are welcome to participate in our programs. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations.

Programs will be available at the festival and online, providing schedules for specific events taking place during the Salute.

For more information, contact the Salute to Recreation office prior to the event: (818) 756-8060, day of event: (818) 349-0535.


25th ANNIVERSARY CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

A sweet Southland tradition jam-packed with family fun, the CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL celebrates its 25th Silver Anniversary the weekend of May 17 and 18.

Delicious strawberries served every way imaginable are only a taste of the fun available at the weekend celebration. There's the Strawberry Promenade with cooking and berry decorating demonstrations, live concerts, 300 Fine Arts & Crafts booths, Strawberryland For Kids with rides and attractions, gooey contests, the Star Berry Hunt, and more.

The free Park & Ride "Strawberry Express" shuttles from convenient locations off the 101 Fwy make getting to the Festival a breeze. Amtrak also helps keep it green with a special Festival weekend "Kids Ride Free" promotion (shuttles meet the trains). On site parking at Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard, is free.

General admission is $12, seniors 60+ at $8 and children ages 5-12 at $5. Kids 4 and under are free. www.strawberry-fest.org.