It’s time for one of Beaumont’s most beloved traditions.
The 93rd Beaumont Cherry Festival at Stewart Park began Thursday, with food, entertainment, games, events and more before it winds down Sunday.
In addition to the festival, a parade featuring marching bands, dancers and floats will be held Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m., starting at 12th Street and Beaumont Avenue and proceeding south down Beaumont Avenue, finishing at the Civic Center. Before the parade, a pancake breakfast at the Civic Center will start at 6 a.m. and last until 10.
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“It’s fun to go to the Cherry Festival,” said Sue Pensak, vendor coordinator and director. “We have all these different bands and fun stuff that goes on. There is a beer garden, commercial vendors, arts and crafts, entertainment all four days, and a full blown carnival.”
According to Pensak, more than 65,000 people came out to the festival last year.
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“People come from all over,” she said. “The Los Angeles area, Palm Springs, Temecula. I even have vendors from out of state, from Arizona, Oregon and Nevada. I’ve been corresponding with someone coming out to spend time with friends in San Dimas, and they’re coming from the Netherlands. They’re coming out and planning on spending two days out here.”
Pensak starts working on the Cherry Festival in December, and isn’t finished until July.
“Then it seems like it starts all over again,” she said.
With its multitude of events, the festival is open and appropriate for everyone.
“It’s for babies on up to 100-year-olds,” Pensak said.
Hours:
Thursday: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday: Noon - Midnight
Sunday: Noon - 9 p.m.
Ticket prices:
Adults and kids 6 - 11: $3 Thursday, $5 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Kids under 5: Free each day
Wristbands for unlimited rides are available for $20 Thursday and $25 the rest of the festival. Pre-sale wristbands can be purchased at the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Beaumont Civic Center, and the Albert Chatigny Community Recreation Center until June 1.
Concert schedule:
Thursday:
5 p.m. - Jam with the Man
7 p.m. - Restless Heart
Friday:
5 p.m. - The Basix
8 p.m. - War
Saturday:
Noon - local groups
3 p.m. - Mini Kiss
6 p.m. - Air Supply
9 p.m. - The Superfreaks
Sunday:
Noon - The Basix
3 p.m. - Brenton Wood
6 p.m. - Little River Band
Shuttle information:
The Cherry Festival is offering guests an opportunity to use a shuttle bus instead of having to park far away and hike into the event. Participants will be able to park at either the Wal-Mart parking lot on 2nd Street or at the Sports Park at Brookside and Beaumont Avenues, and ride the shuttle into the festival. It’s free, and the bus driver will give riders coupons for $1 off admission. The bus will operate every half hour, both from the parking lots and from the festival grounds.
