Pierfest’s Pure Fun Draws Families Back to Surf City

Tustin resident William Ford was skeptical about taking his two children to the fourth annual Pierfest Saturday, which attracted 35,000 to 40,000 people.

“Obviously, Huntington Beach hasn’t had the best reputation lately,” said Ford, 37, a physician, referring to civil disturbances in the beach city on the Fourth of July. “But I heard this was geared toward families, so we decided to try it.”

Moments later, he was “high-fiving” his 8-year-old daughter, Loren, who had just hit an ace with a dart at one of dozens of game booths specifically designed for children.

“Daddy, I got an ace! I got an ace!” shouted the third-grader with glee.

It was the kind of scene organizers and city officials are eager to paint. “We haven’t had a problem yet, and we want to keep it that way,” said event organizer Lori Courser. “This is real positive for Huntington Beach.

The festival included a lively mix of music, food booths, crafts and pro volleyball along a stretch of beach about half a mile south of the pier.

Organizers predict that at least 60,000 people will attend the activities today. The festival celebrates the reopening of the city’s pier.

“We came down out of pure interest,” said Sean Mahoney, who was with his wife, Sandi, both 26, of Huntington Beach. “They have such a huge setup. It’s really great.”

Once inside the carnival-like surroundings, crowds gathered at a number of attractions, which included a comedy improv group, an in-line roller-skating demonstration and something called the “Trampoline Thing.” On the popular device, a person jumps on a trampoline, but is strapped around the waist with bungee-like cables that allow him or her to soar as high as 25 feet.

Rafik Kamell of Santa Ana bounced up and down but also decided to turn several mid-air flips before coming down.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks. That was pretty disorienting,” said the still-wobbly 36-year-old lawyer. “And it’s a good workout too.”

Another attraction this year is the return of the Women’s Pro Beach Volleyball tour, after a four-year hiatus. The players, some of whom will represent the United States in the 1996 Olympics, competed in a total of 34 matches Saturday. CBS will televise the finals today at 11 a.m.

The volleyball drew Shelley Vrungos, 29, of Newport Beach down to the beach Saturday afternoon.

“I like sports a lot,” said Vrungos, a doctoral student in psychology, between points of an intense match. “This is a really nice way to round out the last part of summer.”

Promoters were glad to be back in Huntington Beach.

“We love Southern California. This is where the sport was born,” said Tim Simmons, a volleyball tour spokesman. “It’s a natural for us to be here.” The festival begins today at 10 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m. General admission is $2 before 4 p.m., $5 later. Kids 12 and under get in free.