The City of Santa Clarita is inviting community members to attend the annual Celebrating YOUth Sports Festival on Saturday, August 20, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Central Park. The free event will feature games for sports enthusiasts in four interactive zones, food vendors, raffle prizes and activities presented by local professional and semi-professional sports teams.

“The City of Santa Clarita is proud to host an event that promotes youth sports, physical fitness and an overall healthy lifestyle,” commented Mayor Marsha McLean. “The festival is a great way for kids and families to get active, while learning about various community sport offerings.”

This year, the Celebrating YOUth Sports Festival will welcome the Los Angeles Kings and their mascot, Bailey the Lion. The group will host a Chariot Puck Shoot slap-shot competition.  The Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Team returns for their second consecutive year to cheer on kids in the Shootaround, as they play ball on the Clippers’ traveling regulation-size court.

The event will also feature four interactive zones, including the Wild World of Sports Zone with games like Home Run Derby and Soccer Shootout presented by the Santa Clarita Blue Heat.  Vista Valencia Golf Course will host a miniature driving range at their Pee Wee Golf area and baseball enthusiasts can enjoy throwing fastballs in the JetHawks Fast Pitch, presented by the Lancaster JetHawks. KaBoom, the JetHawks mascot, will also be in attendance to cheer on participants.

Kids will enjoy the Children’s Zone, which will feature face painting, inflatable basketball, balloon animals and games.  Football fanatics will love participating in the Football Fun Zone, featuring a 40-yard Dash, Through the Uprights field goal challenge and QB Challenge sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Attendees can stay cool in the Make a Splash Zone with Dunk the Lifeguard and other water games.   In addition to activities provided in the festival’s four zones, the event will also feature Magic Mountain’s characters, parachute fun, and a massive water balloon toss.

The Celebrating YOUth Sports Festival will also include a raffle with total prizes valued at approximately $4,000. One hundred percent of the raffle proceeds benefit the S.C.O.R.E. program, which provides scholarships to underprivileged youth to participate in City youth sports programs.  Raffle prizes include Sea World and Disneyland park entrance and meal voucher tickets; Magic Mountain tickets; and VIP parking passes and VIP tent admission for the finale of Concerts in the Park, featuring Jack Mack and the Heart Attack.

Central Park is located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road.  For more information about the 2011 Celebrating YOUth Sports Festival, please contact the City’s Recreation Division at (661) 250-3756.