Food, Games, Car Show, Races Highlight Festival

Showing its community spirit, the city will celebrate its 41st birthday Saturday with food, fun and entertainment at the Cypress Community Festival.

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the event at Orange Avenue and Grindlay Street, said Patty Bailey, Cypress recreation services manager.

More than 300 booths will feature food, games, arts and crafts and information on community organizations.

“It is simply a huge community party that is planned and implemented by community volunteers,” Bailey said. “It is truly a family-oriented event.”

The day’s activities kick off at 6:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast. Registration for 5K and 10K runs and a 2-mile stroll will be at 7 a.m., with the stroll and runs beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Registration is $12 for the 5K and 10K races and $5 for the stroll.

Festival booths open at 9 a.m., and activities continue through 5 p.m. Other activities are a car show, a chili cook-off, police K-9 demonstrations, and a Drug Awareness Resistance Education program auction, organizers said.

“There is going to be a lot of entertainment for everyone,” Bailey said.