The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Annual CityFest celebration to return
Mentor’s annual CityFest will be returning this month after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.
Mentor’s annual CityFest will be returning this month after being canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. CityFest will be held from 4-11 p.m. Aug. 20 and from noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 21 in Mentor Civic Park. The free two-day festival will feature games, activities and entertainment for all ages.
According to a news release, there will be over 20 food vendors for attendees to choose among, featuring classic festival food like funnel cakes, lemonade and other sweet treats.
CityFest will also feature live music on the Mentor Civic Amphitheater stage. According to Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic, Who’s Bad, a Michael Jackson tribute band, will play on Saturday evening.
Logarusic said organizers have just recently confirmed that King’s Highway, a Tom Petty tribute band, will take the stage on Friday evening.
The festival will offer fun for all ages with a Kids Zone and an Adult Zone — the Kids Zone will have plenty of giant inflatables and interactive games. Organizers are planning to fill it with bounce houses, an extreme trampoline, mobile ninja warrior obstacle course, and other activities.
The bounce houses and some of the other activities will require a wristband that is available to purchase at the festival, but otherwise admission and parking are free.
Parking is available at Mentor High School, Mentor Senior Center, Mentor Fire Station #5, Mentor Police Department and at the Laketran parking lot on Market Street. Handicapped parking for those with a permanent Ohio handicapped plaque will be at the Mentor Municipal Center.
The Adult Zone will feature a beer trailer, cornhole and other party games — along with axe throwing.
The Mentor CityFest Parade will also be making a comeback, stepping off from Shore Middle School at 10 a.m. on Aug. 21 and making its way to the festival grounds.
The parade includes over 100 groups, including the Mentor High School marching band and a City of Mentor float.
Additionally, those seeking a bit of exercise are encouraged to sign up for the CityFest Color Dash & Walk, taking place starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 21. The 2.5 mile fun-run will follow the Civic Center bike path, and is doable for all ages. It includes seven different “color zones” where participants will be dashed with brightly colored powder along the way. CityFest has proved to be one of Mentor’s most popular yearly community events, and Logarusic anticipates its return this year will be well-received.
“We expect a big crowd,” Logarusic said. “The event draws an average of about 25,000 people annually, and when the weather has cooperated, attendance at events this year is either at or above 2019 levels. People have been aching to get out.”
“We expect a big crowd. The event draws an average of about 25,000 people annually, and when the weather has cooperated, attendance at events this year is either at or above 2019 levels. People have been aching to get out.”
— Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic