KIDS ZONE WILL BE BIGGER & BETTER AT THIS YEAR'S SUN & SEA FESTIVAL JULY 16

The expansion of the Kids’ Zone is one of the biggest highlights at this year’s Sun & Sea Festival with kid-specific entertainment and rides starting at Dunes Park and along Seacoast Drive to Palm Ave. Topping the list are the traditional favorites of Kids n’ Kastles (sponsored by the IB Optimist Club), Zoo Pals ride, face painting and a balloon artist. New to Dunes Park is the Curious World Tour, Rad Hatter and the Giant Games (sponsored by IB Boys & Girls Club) and an Obstacle Course. Free entertainment will also be provided at Dunes Park and at Seacoast and Palm.

“We are thrilled to offer kids a fun-filled-fantastic day as Dunes Park will be packed with options for kids,” said Athena Hohenberg, owner of Beachside Fro-Yo and chair of this year Kids Zone programming. “I am super excited about the carnival rides along Seacoast, and the Raging Inferno monster truck that will be offering rides up and down Palm Ave."

Beyond Dunes Park, the Kid’s Zone will stretch north along Seacoast Drive with carnival rides along with a Jumpy, Bull Riding, and the IB Fire Department’s Derby car display, among others. Many of the activities will be free of charge but others may require a ticket purchase. Two booths will sell tickets for most, but not all, of the rides. Most will cost $2 to $4 per ride.

Featured attractions:
Kids n’ Kastles – sand building competition for kids ages 12-years and under, in teams of five. On the day of the event, teams check-in at the Kids N’ Kastles booth by the Dolphin Statue. They will be assigned a building plot and pay $10 donation per team ($2 donation per child) to the Optimist Club of Imperial Beach. Each child receives a free gift bag filled with goodies. Contest is held from Noon – 1:30 pm. Check-in starts at 11 a.m.

The Curious World Tour unfolds from a colorful vehicle into becoming a playful learning environment for children and families. Explorers are invited on a personal journey with beloved characters like Curious George – who celebrates his 75th birthday this year – that will inspire them to ask questions, open their minds, and take a hands-on approach to the world around them through interactive, multi-disciplinary educational activities. Open 10 a.m.to 5 pm. Free for all ages.

World Famous "Raging Inferno" Jet Monster Fire Truck – A wild machine which is a converted fire truck with both front and rear steering so that kids can experience the fun of a “Real Monster Truck”. Rides offered 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – cost $5 – admission paid at ride and not with ticket booth tickets.

Kids Zone Dunes Park Performance Schedule

10:30 am Rock Star Gymnastics Academy Presentation
11:30 am Coral Bells perform
Noon Rap-A-Tap (Performing Arts Studio)
1 pm DJ Music (to be announced)
1:30 Coral Bells Perform
2 pm Optimist Club Kid’s n Kastles Awards Presentation
3 pm Boys and Girls Club presentation
3:30pm Jujitsu demonstrations by Odin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4 pm World Gym Eastlake – Kids Academy Presentation

Kids Zone North Palm Ave & Seacoast Schedule
10 am to 1pm DJ (to be announced)
1 to 5 pm Six Gun South Band– Rock and Roll Classics with a modern sound

For more information on this year’s festival please visit our Facebook page at

Facebook.com/IBSunandSeaFestival or our website: http://sunandseafestival.com/