Community Corner

Headlands Beachfest Plans For Mile Of Fun In Mentor

Day-long festival includes kayaking, kite-flying, paddle boarding, live music and food

The first-ever Headlands Beachfest intends to cover the shore in a mile of fun.

“It was our plan to have a super event on Ohio’s longest beach to attract more visitors to the area,” said Kathie Pohl, director of marketing and community relations for the city of Mentor.

Beachfest is a free, day-long event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. hosted by the city and Headlands Beach State Park featuring a number of activities for all ages, Pohl said.

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The festival was conceived more than a year ago as a kite demonstration, but has been expanded to include activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, kite flying and a sand castle-building competition.

One of the featured attractions at Beachfest will be Carl Jara, a world champion sand sculptor and Cleveland native, who will be sculpting with 40 to 50 tons of sand, Pohl said.

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For those looking for a more relaxing day at the festival, live bands such as WIXY 1260 and 7 Mile Isle will perform throughout the day, and there will be a variety of food and craft vendors that compliment the wind, water and sand theme.

“There’s lots of stuff to do for everyone and if you don’t want to do anything, you can always jump in the lake,” Pohl said.

The cost of Beachfest is $21,000 with more than $17,000 being paid for through sponsors, which include Lake Health, Lake National Bank, Lake County Visitor’s Bureau Arts & Culture Grant, Great Lakes Publishing, The News-Herald, and Mentor Patch.

As the event draws nearer, Pohl has one thing on her mind.

“Just praying for sun,” she said.

Schedule of events:

West Beach – KITE FLYING ACTIVITIES

  • 11 AM to 1 PM and 3 to 4 PM
    Demonstrations and free fly with Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites’ quad and dual line sport kites. Bring your problem kite and they’ll try to see what’s wrong.
  • 1 to 2 PM
    Wind Sprint Competitions for ages 1-6; 7-12, 13-18 and 19+. Prizes awarded to top finishers in each age group.
  • 2 to 3 PM
    Mystery Ballet. Professional sport kite flyers fly to music. Five non-flier volunteers will do the judging!
  • 4 to 5 PM
    Rokkaku Battle. Solo and Teams compete in “All’s fair in love and ROK battles.”
  • 5 to 7 PM 
    Open fly to music.
  • 11 AM to 7 PM
    Kite decorating and kite making in the Kite Tent ($3 per kit)

 

WATER ACTIVITIES

  • 11 AM to 7 PM
    Learn how to use a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or small sailboat with staff from Lake Metroparks and Mentor Recreation
  • 3 PM
    Harbor Watch Lifeguard Jet Ski rescue demonstrations with Lake Metroparks and Mentor Fire Dive Team
  • 3:30 PM
    Search for buried treasure with the Pirate of Fairport

 

East Beach

  • 11 AM to 7 PM
    Watch the progress as World Champion Sand Sculptor Carl Jara creates a one of a kind sculpture
  • 11:30 AM, 1 PM, 2:30 PM and 4 PM
    Learn how to build a better sand castle and enter the Amateur Sand Castle Building Contest.
  • 1-4 PM
    Beach games with Mentor Recreation, including Giant Parachute, Pool Noodle Obstacle Course, Marble Launch, Carry & Fill Relay, Dig to China Race, Mini Golf, Shell Game and Musical Towels
  • 1 to 4 PM
    Flower Clown, Strolling Juggler
  • 2 to 5 PM
    Enjoy a parade on the beach featuring giant puppets direct from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s June Parade the Circle event
  • 5 to 7 PM
    Bubbles and snow activities with the Science Guy
  • 6 PM
    Paraglider Fly-Over with the Ohio Powered Paragliding (weather permitting)
  • 6:30 PM
    Judging of Amateur Sand Castle Building Contest, Music Stage

 


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