Headlands BeachFest 2014 returns to Headlands Beach State Park on Saturday, July 26. This free, family-friendly event, blends the arts with the elements of wind, water and sand for one truly unique day at the beach. From Noon to 8 p.m., the skies above the mile-long lakefront will be filled with colorful kites, while kayaks and paddleboards splash through Lake Erie. Many of the other activities will take place on land include sand castle building for families, music, dancers, acrobats and performance artists. There will also be organized beach games, art projects, face painters and a cartoon portrait artist. The state’s concessionaire, Lakeside Snacks, will offer traditional beach fare including hot dogs, burgers, fries, ice cream and beverages. Other food choices will include Fired Up Taco Truck, Lou’s Classic Kettle Corn and fruit beverages from Realfrut. Nearly two dozen arts and craft vendors will line the paved path selling items related to wind, water and sand.
Three professional sand sculptors will compete in what will be Ohio’s first Master Sand Sculpting Competition. World Champions, Greg Grady of New Hampshire, Suzanne Altamare of Florida and Ohio’s own Carl Jara will each build a sand sculpture and visitors will decide the winner.
Entertainment includes kite making workshops and flying demonstrations by members of the Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites, amateur sand castle builder and author Doug Smith, Cleveland Museum of Art performance artists under the direction of Robin VanLear and the Calypso Gypsies Steel Drum Band. Joining the line-up are musicians Ricky & the Rockets, musical explorer Hal Walker, The Good Knights, RED, the fire dancer, aerialist performers Jasmine Dragons, and students from Andrews-Osborne Academy’s multicultural dance troupe, Nach Ballet Bailar. Organizers have also added a Kid Zone on the beach with Inflatable Bumper Balls, Seaweed the Sea Monster Slide and a Wax Hand Art Cart.
This day at the beach is presented by the City of Mentor and Headlands Beach State Park with activities provided by Mentor Recreation, Lake Metroparks, Andrews-Osborne Academy, Mentor Public Library, and Great Lakes Mall’s Kidgits Club. Sponsors include Great Lakes Publishing, Lake Health, Lake County Visitors Bureau Arts & Culture Fund, The Ohio Arts Council, The News-Herald, STERIS, Classic Auto Group, radio stations MIX 97.1, Cougar 93.7 and Magic 102.5, Lake National Bank, Laketran, Mentor Economic Assistance Corporation, Best Western Plus – Lawnfield Inn & Suites, Macaroni Kid and Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will also be one of the stops on the Lake County #InstaTour, a new activity organized by the Lake County Visitors Bureau offering weekend deals for families.
The event will be held rain or shine. Call 440-974-5794 or visit HeadlandsBeachFest.com for complete festival details.