New activities on tap for Party in the Park

The Beaverton Valley Times, Jul 16, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

ADVERTISEMENTS

The Party in the Park returns Saturday, July 25, with its usual smorgasbord of free activities along with a new lineup of mobile entertainment geared primarily for the younger crowd.

But moms and dads will have plenty to see and do, too, as Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District celebrates its fourth straight year of providing a festival of fun for the whole family at Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex, 158th and Walker Road in Beaverton.

Most activities begin at 10 a.m. or later and continue until 3 p.m. Admission is free. There is an exhibitor fee for the fifth annual Classic at T-Hills collector car show, but to view the activities is free.

Party in the Park is THPRD’s largest community event of the year. It draws several thousand children and adults to the 92-acre HMT Complex, which features facilities for aquatics, tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, skateboarding and more.

New activities this year include a group of “roaming” performers: Heather Pearl, a specialist in acrobatics and physical comedy; Giggles the Clown, who does magic tricks, balloon animals, face painting and games; Rollo, a 9-foot-tall cartoon character who dances, skips rope and shrinks; and magician Carey Heim.

Other new elements include Jill’s Pail, an interactive music program for children; Dragon Theatre Puppets featuring the “Wacky Adventures of Lewis and Clark”; and pony rides by Cisco and the Kids from 1 to 3 p.m. next to the Tennis Stadium Court.

The popular Beaverton Police Department K-9 Unit demonstration returns this year at 11 a.m., while the Beaverton Optimist Club will sell barbecued ribs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with nostalgia rock ’n’ roll music by the Fabulous Farelanes.

Sports-related activities will include a high school exhibition rugby match by the Beaverton Barbarians. An interactive tennis clinic will be provided, or patrons can cool off with a free swim at the Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center. Guests can also drop in for free kickball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, pickleball, table tennis or bocce.

For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.