It’s One Big Free for All at This Weekend’s Lakeville Family Fun Fest

From the velcro wall, to the moon bounce, to the free movie, Lakeville's is sure to be packed with fun. The annual event,which will be held this year from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 at , is free and open to all. Families can choose to make an optional $5 donation to support the Miracle Field, which is under construction at Lakeville’s .

Highlights at this year’s fest include inflatable jumpers, ice skating, turf whiffle ball, chair massages, kids’ activity tables, face painting, raffles and concessions. Families are also invited to spread blankets and set up lawn chairs for the “Movie on the Turf” at 7 p.m.

Dan Brettschneider, recreation program supervisor with the city of Lakeville Parks and Recreation Department, said the festival started as a way to promote the city’s summer programs.

“We thought it would be a great way to get the word out about parks and rec summer options. Now it’s become sort of a family carnival each year,” Brettschneider said. “Another nice thing about this year’s festival is all the sponsors we have on board. They help make it all possible."

This year’s film, “Toy Story 3,” is sponsored by Turning Leaf Chiropractic, which will have a booth at the event with giveaways, information on chiropractic care and free chair massages. Co-owner Dr. Betsy Oakland-Garey said her practice is excited to be a part of the festival.

“We love being a part of community events for families, and we really enjoy sharing health information and options with people of all ages,” Oakland-Garey said. “The Family Fun Fest is a perfect way to support our community and raise awareness for the Lakeville Miracle Field Project. We've worked with the organization for a few years now and are passionate about the opportunities that will be available for so many kids.”

Construction on King Park’s Miracle Field, which is an adapted baseball field designed to make the game accessible to kids of all abilities, is nearing completion. All asphalt, fencing and initial surfaces are in place, and the Lakeville Baseball Association is now focusing on raising funds to install the final rubberized playing surface.

Brian Roseen is South Metro Miracle League Director at the Lakeville Baseball Association. He said this is the fourth adapted field to be built in the metro area.

“The cost is about 400-thousand dollars to complete phase one of the project, which gets the field ready for play” Roseen said. “We’re nearly done with the field and just need to complete the rubberized playing surface and the dugout structures. So it’s about 90-percent done. So if the funding permits, we’ll pour the rubberized surface in May and have it ready for play in June,” Roseen said. “We’ve raised about 320-thousand so far.”

Roseen said the field will give many kids their first chance to play baseball in an organized league, which benefits everyone.

“It’s the chance for these kids to play America’s favorite pastime. They absolutely love it,” Roseen said. We did a trial run in the fall and most of those kids will come back this summer. Plus one of the best parts of the program is that every player has a buddy from the Lakeville Baseball Association’s travel team. It’s kids helping kids, and that’s much bigger than the game,” Roseen said.

As for the festival, most of the activities including the inflatables, velcro wall, and whiffle ball games will take place from 5 to 7 pm, when the lights will be dimmed for the movie. Concessions will be available for a fee, and ice skates will be available for rental.

For more information on the Lakeville Family Fun Fest, visit the City of Lakeville website at: http://www.ci.lakeville.mn.us.

For more information on the Lakeville Baseball Association and Miracle Field, visit:http://www.lakevillebaseball.org. Registration for the South Metro Miracle League has been extended through May 15, but space is limited.

Lakeville Family Fun Fest

Saturday April 9th, 2011
5:00-9:00 pm
Ames Ice Arena
19900 Ipava Avenue
Lakeville, MN 55044 
Phone: (952) 985-2170