Residents and visitors will once again flock to Sunset Park for the 32nd annual Airway Heights summer festival, Aug. 21-22.
The festival kicks off with the fifth annual Kiwanis Club Watermelon Races, Friday night.
The rules are the same as in past races. All watermelon racers must be handcrafted with both the front and rear axles having two wheels and all four wheels must touch the ground.
Last year's competition allowed contestants to build a chassis for their racers. All chassis must be designed to be a part of the watermelon and may not extend more than two inches beyond the length and width of the racer.
"For businesses, the Watermelon Races are a fun team-building exercise," J.C. Kennedy, Parks, Recreation and Community Services director, said. "It's also a fun, family event. Who doesn't like to smash a watermelon with a big mallet?"
Residents can compete in the Community Challenge to win a championship plaque and $50. Local businesses and organizations will race in the Corporate Cup Challenge to win the traveling championship plaque, which is currently held by defending champion Motion Auto Supply. Prizes will be awarded for grand champion, best decorated, most innovative design, team spirit and best crash.
Following the Watermelon Races, Airway Heights Parks and Recreation will play the final Summer Moonlight Movie Series - Matthew Robbins' "Batteries Not Included," a comedic science fiction movie about extraterrestrial living machines that save an apartment block. Motion Auto Supply is sponsoring the movie.
The second day of the festival has live music, a Kids Zone from noon - 4 p.m., vendors, the beer garden, which will be open on Friday and Saturday, and the annual Ford Open Car Show hosted by the Inland Northwest Thunderbirds Car Club.
Dan Garcia, Thunderbirds president said there will be a car corral, where residents can sell their cars, and a tricycle race for motorcyclists.
"Last year we had 280 vehicles," Garcia said. "This year there are going to be a variety of motorcycles and cars coming in."
The Kiwanis Club's Airway's Got Talent competition is returning for its third year with both the first and second rounds on Saturday. The first-place winner will receive $500 while second- and third-place finishers will be awarded $250 and $100.
In between acts, residents will have a chance to compete and win prizes in the "Minute to Win It" games.
"There was such a positive response and energy for the Minute to Win It games from last year so we brought it back," Jacob Powers of the Airway Heights Kiwanis Club said. "We also have more dinner options and really encourage people to hang out."
Powers added the 2014 talent show had twice as many entrants as the year before and he thinks it will grow again this year. Anyone who is interested in performing but missed Saturday Aug. 1 live auditions, can submit a video to [email protected]., up to the day of the event.
While the festival focuses on providing activities and fun for the family, it's also a chance for residents to connect with each other and display their community spirit.
"That's why we do this and this is our big event to do that," Kennedy said.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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