Mentor CityFest offers enjoyment for people of all ages
Aug. 19—For people whose Saturday plans included going to a community celebration featuring fun, food and entertainment, Mentor CityFest had a lot to offer.
The second and final day of the event took place Aug. 19, starting at noon and lasting until 11 p.m. at Mentor Civic Center Park on Munson Road.
People attend CityFest "as a celebration of summer ending and the school year beginning," said Mentor Parks and Recreation Director Kenn Kaminski.
"The event is affordable to all and they can spend the day enjoying all the activities and events that we have planned," he said. "The Parks and Recreation Department takes pride in being able to host this event."
One popular feature of this year's celebration was the CityFest Kids Zone. This area featured bounce houses, giant slides, a warrior dash, 70-foot obstacle run, rock wall, zip line, an extreme trampoline and a mobile ninja warrior course, according to the city.
Joe Nemes and his wife, Jackie Nemes, were among the many parents in the Kids Zone shortly after the festival began at noon. Their daughters: 9-year-old Ruby and 7-year-old Scarlett, were checking out some of the different inflatable playsets.
Joe and Jackie said the family visits Mentor CityFest every year
"It's really great to get out and see our daughters' friends coming back to school — kind of a nice way to wrap up summer," Jackie said.
Joe also mentioned some of his favorite things about CityFest.
"The food and seeing old friends and getting together with the community," he said.
CityFest visitors who worked up an appetite could choose from an array of vendors, who served up offerings such as pizza, tacos, gyros and chicken wings.
Mentor Civic Center's amphitheater also was a lively place during the first two hours of the festival on Aug. 19.
The Mentor Top 25 Show Choir performed between 12:15 and 12:45. Then at 1 p.m., the amphitheater was the site of the annual Deepwood Idol competition. This program raises awareness about Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities' programs and services while celebrating the talents of individuals with disabilities.
Contestants got the chance to sing, dance or play musical instruments in front of a panel of judges, who ultimately would select one of the performers as 2023 Deepwood Idol.
Day 2 of CityFest began with the event's annual parade, which consisted of more than 100 groups, the Mentor High School Marching Band and the City of Mentor float.
Evening highlights from the Aug. 19 edition of Mentor CityFest included the Color Dash & Walk; the Fest Money Trivia Game; and a concert by 20 RIDE, a Zac Brown tribute band.
Opening night of Mentor CityFest on Aug. 18 culminated with a musical performance by Who's Bad, the ultimate Michael Jackson experience.
