Hundreds of youngsters are now practicing healthy, active lifestyle choices after braving the summer sun Saturday to play some familiar outdoor sports.

The fourth annual YOUth Sports Festival drew a crowd of more than 1,000 to the Santa Clarita Sports Complex for games, food and exercise.

Activities were spread throughout the complex and ranged from sand volleyball to Tae Kwan Do to kayaking in the Aquatic Center pool.

“The feedback … has been fantastic because it’s been over 100 degrees out here,”said Doug Botton of the Santa Clarita Parks and Recreations department.

For Botton, the festival provides awareness both for the complex and for the businesses that support local sports.

“They had no idea that all of this existed in their community,” he said. “It’s allowed them to reach out and find new sports that they wouldn’t have normally been able to participate in.”

Mayor Frank Ferry said the city is “committed to inspiring the community to embrace a healthy, active lifestyle and encouraging youth to get plenty of exercise.”

Numerous Los Angeles-area sports teams participated in the festival including the L.A. Clippers, Lancaster JetHawks and L.A. Galaxy.

“It’s all about the kids,” said Santa Clarita Youth Sports Coordinator Sean Norton. “It’s about celebrating youth in the valley.”

“We’re showing our commitment to healthy, active lifestyle,” he said.