CityFest expands with new activities

Ninja Warrior Challenge, Escape Rooms among additions to 2-day event

The city of Mentor is readying to host the ultimate “block party” again.

The sixth annual, twoday Mentor CityFest kicks off at 4 p.m., Aug. 24.

A concerted effort is being made to appeal to all ages this year, Mentor Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic said.

“What makes CityFest unique is the variety of entertainment and interactive activities you’ll find here,” he said. “Our focus is on making it a family-friendly event at every level. We have giant inflatables for the kids as well as well as activities which appeal to tweens and adults, including a rockclimbing wall, zip line, extreme trampoline, Ninja Warrior Challenge and mobile Escape Rooms.

“We also have a variety of midway games, which are hosted by community groups. Our popular Color Dash & Walk has been growing by the year and is a lot of fun for everyone.”

In addition, Mentor will formally become recognized as a Buckeye Trail Town at 3 p.m., Aug. 25. The grand mMarshal of the CityFest Parade this year is Hollie Strano from WKYC.

Admission and parking are free. Food and beverages are available for sale. Activity wristbands are $10 for “all you can jump.” Those purchased Aug. 24 are good for the 25th as well. Escape Rooms are $2 per person. Registration for the Color Dash can be done through Greater Cleveland XC.

City officials estimate that the event attracts

20,000 people during the two days.

“A lot of families come up together and there’s a great, laid-back atmosphere that feels like a block party — but with a ton of stuff to do,” Logarusic said. “In the evenings, mom and dad can enjoy some music and some refreshments with friends while the kids are running around with their friends and enjoying the activities.”

CityFest, formerly known as “It’s Better in Mentor,” is a major undertaking. About $94,000 was budgeted this year and it requires roughly 200 city employee hours, Parks & Recreation Director Kenn Kaminski said.

“We (also) have approximately

90 to 100 volunteers working throughout the event,” he said.

The festival schedule is as follows:

Aug. 24

• Interactive games and inflatables (children and adults) — 5 to 11 p.m., festival grounds

• Ninja Warrior Challenge and Escape Room — 4 to 11 p.m., festival grounds

• Arcade Room — 4 to 11 p.m., ice arena

• All About You Entertainment/DJ music between acts — 4 to 11 p.m., amphitheater

• Josh Seth, hypnotist/ comedy show — 5 to 6 p.m., amphitheater

• Dragonfly Balloons — 6

to 9 p.m., festival grounds

• Open Skate — 6 to 8 p.m., ice arena

• Dustin Kaiser, strolling magician — 7 to 9 p.m., festival grounds

• Fest Money Trivia Game — 6 to 7 p.m., festival grounds

• Carving demonstration, Art by Shannon — 4 to 9 p.m., festival grounds

• That 80’s Band — 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., amphitheater

Aug. 25

• CityFest Parade — 10 to 11 a.m., Center Street

• Carving Demonstration, Art by Shannon — 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., festival grounds

• Parade Awards — 11:45

a.m. to 12:15 p.m., amphitheater

• Interactive games and inflatables (children and adults) — noon to 11 p.m., festival grounds

• Ninja Warrior Challenge and Escape Room — noon to 11 p.m., festival grounds

• Arcade Room — noon to 11 p.m., ice arena

• All About You Entertainment/DJ music between acts — noon to 11 p.m., amphitheater

• Mentor High School Top 25 Show Choir — 12:30 to 1 p.m., amphitheater

• Mentor High School Mannheim Chamber Orchestra — 1:15 to 1:45 p.m., amphitheater

• Juggling Show, Cincinnati Circus — 2 to 2:30 p.m., amphitheater

• Bubble Derby — 2 to 6 p.m., ice arena-east

• Fun & Games on Ice — 2 to 6 p.m., ice arena-west

• Wine Tasting — 2 to 4 p.m., Wine Tent

• Buckeye Trail Town Dedication — 3 to 3:30 p.m., amphitheater

• Paint the Ice — 4 to 5 p.m., ice arena-west

• Strolling Circus Act, Cincinnati Circus — 4 to 9 p.m., festival grounds

• Mentor Police K-9 Team demonstration — 5 to 5:30 p.m., festival grounds

• Juggling Show, Cincinnati Circus — 5:30 to 6 p.m., amphitheater

• Color Dash & Walk — 6 p.m., starting at pool pavilion

• Dustin Kaiser, strolling magician — 6 to 9 p.m., festival grounds

• Fest Money Trivia Game — 6 to 8 p.m., festival grounds

• Sudden Change — 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., amphitheater

• Fireworks — 10:30 p.m., festival grounds

For more information, visit facebook.com/ MentorCityFest or cityofmentor.com.

“A lot of families come up together and there’s a great, laid-back atmosphere that feels like a block party — but with a ton of stuff to do.” — Mentor Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic

JONATHAN TRESSLER — THE NEWS-HERALD FILE The crowd at Mentor CityFest was thousands deep in front of the city’s new amphitheater as Pink Floyd cover band Dark Side of the Moon prepared to play.