SpringFest offers fun at any speed for the whole family.

This weekend’s 11th annual SpringFest in North Redondo Beach offers fun at any speed. Whether by running or walking, riding or just lounging about, you can find excitement or relaxation at your own pace.

The four-day family festival, sponsored by the North Redondo Beach Business Assn., began Thursday and continues through Sunday at Aviation Park, situated at the northest corner of Aviation and Manhattan Beach boulevards.

“It’s like a fair or a carnival,” said Punky Cawdrey, co-chair of the event. “There’ll be lots of rides, arts and crafts, and music all weekend. The whole family can hang out all day and always have something to do.”

Along with the popular carnival rides, game booths and musical entertainment, festival goers can watch puppet shows, meet clowns and the Easter bunny, sample entries in baking contests, take a hay ride and hunt for Easter eggs hidden throughout the park.

Featured performers include James Blackman’s Civic Light Opera--the first professional resident musical theater in the South Bay--and the jazz, ballet and street dancers of the South Bay Sunray Stars. The dancers, ages 3 to 18, “started from scratch but are really cooking now,” said Janice Ray, the director.

Also keep an eye out for Dennis Forel, who will perform balloon magic and tour the park on his “penny-farthing” bicycle. This kind of bicycle, popular around the turn of the century, has a large front wheel, smaller rear wheel and a seat about four feet off the ground. “It’s a long way down,” Forel said.

The 5-K centennial run/walk will get the blood pumping at 9 a.m. Sunday. The entry fee is $15; registration forms will be available at the park before the race.

Admission to SpringFest is free. All the proceeds from the attractions are “pumped back into the community,” said Archie Snow, the president of the business association. For example, money from the race will be used for the North Redondo Rotary’s prenatal care program, and the bake sale will benefit several senior citizens groups, Snow said.

The entertainment schedule:

SATURDAY

11 to 11:20 a.m. American Youth Express (dance team)

11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dixie Chickens (Dixieland jazz)

2 to 2:30 p.m. “Mame” (Civic Light Opera)

2:30 to 3 p.m. Awards for bake sale

3 to 3:45 p.m. South Bay Sunray Stars (dance team)

3:45 to 4:15 p.m. South Bay Kung Fu Club

4:30 to 5 p.m. Barbershop music

5 to 8 p.m. Rip Masters and the Cool and the Crazy (‘50s music)

SUNDAY

9 a.m. 5-K Centennial run/walk

10 to 10:30 a.m. Awards ceremony

11 to 11:30 a.m. American Youth Express

11:30 a.m. to noon: “100 Years of Dance” with Academy Act III

Noon to 2 p.m. Fernando & Spice (jazz and blues music)

1 to 2 p.m. Easter egg hunt

2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Academy Act III

3 to 3:30 p.m. The Dial Tones (female barbershop quartet)

3:30 to 6 p.m. Table talk (‘60s and ‘70s music)

What: SpringFest

Where: Aviation Park, Redondo Beach

When: Today, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission: SpringFest is free; $15 to enter the race.

Information: Call (310) 376-6913 or (310) 798-2488.