FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Ninth Annual Fiesta Opens Its Run Today

Monster trucks, a Neil Diamond impersonator, the Senior Queen and King Coronation will all be part of today’s opening festivities launching the Fountain Valley Fiesta.

The ninth annual event, which runs through Sunday at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center, is expected to draw more than 75,000 visitors over five days for carnival rides and games, daily concerts, arts and crafts booths, a chili cook-off and other events. Military personnel and their families who have proper identification will be admitted free on Thursday.

Fiesta-goers can park in designated areas on the grounds but will be prohibited from parking on both sides of Brookhurst Street between Warner and Edinger avenues, and in the commercial and residential areas across from the park, according to Mark Lewis, associate traffic engineer for the city.

The fiesta is a fund-raising event for the Chamber of Commerce, which uses the profits for community-outreach programs.

General admission is $3, except for Thursday, when the ticket price rises to $4 at the door. Advance sale tickets, at $3 each, for all days--including Thursday--are available at the Chamber of Commerce. Seniors and children under 12 may enter for $1 each day; a special opening-night unlimited ride ticket is available for $13.

Gates open today at 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. On Friday only, the grounds will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for handicapped children and adults to enjoy the festivities free of charge.

The Recreation Center is at 16400 Brookhurst St. in Mile Square Regional Park. For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at (714) 962-4441.