It's Coming! Menlo Summerfest, July 16-17: A Total Blast for the Whole Family!

Why the heck would anyone go to Great America or Disneyland when you can head out for an amazing weekend of excitement and the best family entertainment value around at the all-new Menlo Summerfest, coming up July 16-17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park. Kids of all ages will go bonkers over the action-packed amusements and fun in the Super Duper Kidz Funzone and the huge Summerfest Kiddieland Carnival.

Classic Amusements is the Bay’s best in breed, providing the latest, exciting carnival rides and attractions for special events throughout the West. Their beautiful, well-maintained rides and equipment, dedicated staff, and selection of sought-after attractions make Menlo Summerfest a “can’t miss” event for families. Kids will have the thrill of a lifetime on their amazing array of rides at the festival: Super Slide, Tea Cups, Wrecking Ball, Frog Hopper, Wild Raft, Loop-O-Plane, and Astro Liner.

For a real scream, you gotta try Waterballerz! Participants climb into a giant, clear inflatable ball which is filled with fresh air. The the ball is zipped up, which completely seals it, and they enter an inflatable pool that is 24 by 24 feet and literally walk (and roll) on water. Run, jump, bounce, walk inside the balls on water. As many as six balls can be in the pool at one time. This exciting new attraction is always a hit!

Are you ready to jump high into the sky? Flip around and catch some massive air? Well, be prepared to get harnessed into the Spider Jump, an incredible bungee trampoline jump apparatus, and get sling shot high in the air. Kids and adults will alike will LOVE this super fun activity that promises to get your heart racing. You won’t want to miss it and will likely want to go a few rounds!

Kids and adults alike will enjoy Mobile Rock’s challenging 24-foot rock climbing wall where trained climbing technicians will be available to show you the ropes. The wall is color coded to assist climbers, from the youngest to the most advanced, make it to the to the top.

Channel you inner Steph Curry on the super fun Basketball Challenge. Strut your best shot-making stuff with your pals so you can say “nothing but net”!

Party Animals Are the most incredibly expressive puppets on the planet! You can animate them to sit , scratch, walk and dance just like a real animal! And if you like to dance to music, your Party Animal can dance as well as you can! You will be amazed at the effect these comical critters have on people of all ages.

Cali Caricature is the Bay Area’s best caricature illustrator, based on the sunny Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. With amazing skill and good humor, this talented band of artists excels at quickly rendering guests with one-of-a-kind, keepsake caricature art.

Have some fun with a temporary tattoo by California’s award-winning, most sought-after henna artist Renu Lal. Henna painting is an ancient, all-natural, pain-free cosmetic and healing art. Dried leaves from the henna plant are crushed into a powder, then made into a paste that is applied to the body to safely dye the skin. This is done in elaborate patterns and designs, traditionally on hands and feet. The henna dyes the skin with a maroon stain which lasts 1 to 2 weeks and fades away leaving no visible marks. "In my culture, henna conjures up images of romance and creates an aura of glamour. It is referred to as the unspoken language of women. The symbols we use in Mehndi are said to be universal, with ancient meaning and a connection to the sources of Life," says Lal.

From the sweetest of looks to more daring designs, "It's Fun Face Painting" brings an extra sparkle to the event! Face painting and body art with bright colors glitter and imagination, fun henna designs, glitter tattoos and hair bling are among their unique wearable art offerings. Get your dazzle on with looks ranging from rainbow princesses, zombies, and fairy faces to dramatic tigers and superheroes for the day. Want something that lasts a little longer? Enhance your tresses with colorful hair feathers that will stay the course or a non-traditional festival henna tattoo design (made with fresh premium organic brown henna) that will keep the fun going all week.

Learn the art and feel the joy of hula hooping! Experienced hoop dance performer Helga Holoubek will be providing a fun-filled hula hooping experience with performances, demos and activities. She will be demonstrating hooping techniques and sharing hoop skills and tricks using the waist, shoulders, arms, legs and feet. And, of course, hoop dancing all day long. Custom made handmade hoops makes it easy for everyone to hoop. Come join us ... hula hooping fun for everyone!

What: Celebrate good times! Menlo Summerfest, “Hot Fun In The Summertime” debuts with a vibrant, lively and fabulous lineup: Tropical Vibrations, the festival’s big name music mash with stellar live music on the Soundwaves Stage in Fremont Park, the Aloha Stage at El Camino Real and throughout downtown; the Summerfest Cool Down Concert featuring Petty Theft, the sensational Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tribute band revered up and down the west coast (Saturday, July 16 from 5-7pm in Fremont Park); Artsplash with extraordinary fine art and cool crafts by 200 professional artists, the Summer Vibes Art Contest, and “Express Your Summerself Color Spot”; Mobile Eats with food trucks and booths; Deelish Drink with artisan cocktails, craft beer and premium wine; Savory City with world’s finest artisan-produced specialty foods; Super Duper Funzone with a host of awesome amusements for kids; Summerfest Kiddieland Carnival with an amazing array of exciting rides; Fleet Feet Menlo Park’s Summerfest Family Fun Run & Walk (3-mile and 1-mile) at 9am on Sunday, July 17; and "Aloha Friday" promotion on Friday, July 15, a play off the festival’s "Tropical Vibrations” theme! The smashing music lineup includes Petty Theft, The Houserockers, Pacific Soul Band, Fito Reinoso, Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s, The Reefriders, Pankind Steel Drum Band, Bob Culbertson, John Clarke, Heartstrings Music and Man In White plus the festive, tropical island sounds, rhythms and dance of AHAmele, Pumehana O’Hula, Kawailehua Hula Ohana, Stickdrum, Hiram Bell, Nemenzo Dance Studio, For The Love of Dance, and Mambonova Dance Company. Admission is free. Presented by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce.

WHEN: July 16-17, 2016. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The Summerfest Cool Down Concert with Petty Theft runs after-hours on Saturday, July 16 from 5-7 p.m. in Fremont Park.

WHERE: On Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA; between El Camino Real and Johnson Street.

INFO-LINE: 650-325-2818

WEBSITE: http://summerfest.miramarevents.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MenloSummerfest/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/miramarevents

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/miramarcrew/

YOU TUBE: https://youtu.be/w2X3sGNP4aM