Sherman Oaks : Celebration of Quake Recovery Planned

A karaoke machine, 14 carnival rides, about a dozen games, food, music and a petting zoo will assume center stage this weekend at the first-ever Sherman Oaks Springfest & Carnival at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park.

The Springfest was planned to celebrate the area’s earthquake recovery and raise money for local parks and nonprofit groups, said Nancy Schmidt, president of the San Fernando Valley Charitable Foundation, which is sponsoring the event with the area Chamber of Commerce and the city Department of Recreation and Parks.

With any luck, she said, it will become an annual happening.

The family event has no cover and includes free parking. The Van Nuys Division of the Los Angeles Police Department will be on hand to promote the Jeopardy program and to play a grudge softball game against the Mid-Valley Community Police Council, a citizen advisory panel. Some officers have even volunteered their faces for a pie-throwing contest.

“You can rest assured that it’s going to be the safest place in town,” Schmidt laughed.

The scheduled events on Saturday include, at 9 a.m., the opening-day ceremony for the 500 Little League players at the Van-Nuys Sherman Oaks Park, with Mayor Richard Riordan and City Councilman Mike Feuer throwing out opening pitches and, at 11 a.m., a softball game between police officers and residents.

The Springfest runs from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, 14201 Huston St.

For information, call the recreation center at (818) 783-5121.