Walnut Family Festival to Close Streets, Bring Music, Fun, and Food

The following information was provided in news releases by the city of Walnut.

The 37th annual Walnut Family Festival will be held today at Suzanne Park, 625 Suzanne Road.  The theme this year is “Cruzin Around the World” which focuses on all the wonderful places residents of Walnut lived before.  Whether they moved here from another state or another country, they all contribute to the outstanding community they now call home.

The festival will open in grand style at 10 a.m. and continue with live entertainment and all the other festival events until 6 p.m.

Residents are advised that morning festivities, including a parade and 5K and 1K runs will prompt road closures. 

La Puente Road east from Lemon Avenue to Morningside Drive will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to noon for the Walnut Family Festival Parade.  Lemon Avenue will be closed to northbound traffic from Vejar Road to Meadowpass Road from 8:30 a.m. to noon. 

In addition to major road closures at La Puente, Lemon and Suzanne, there will be no (non-emergency) vehicular traffic allowed to enter La Puente from San Vincente, Old Post Road, Citadel Road or Southcoast Drive during the parade.  If you think you may need to leave the area between 8:30 a.m. and noon, please make arrangements to move your vehicle(s) prior to 8:30 a.m. that morning.  Please drive carefully in these areas. 

Pierre Road from La Puente Road to Meadowpass Road will be closed from 6:45 a.m. to approximately 8:30 a.m. for the 5K and 1K runs.  The northbound lane on Meadowpass Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to approximately 8:30 a.m.

Meadowpass Road will also be closed from 8:30 a.m. to noon for the parade.  Meadowpass, from Pierre to Lemon Avenue will be closed for the safety of the children, adults and horses that are participating in the parade.

Suzanne Road will be closed from La Puente Road north to Fuerte from 4 p.m. Friday, October 11 through midnight, Saturday, October 12.  Marcon Drive will be closed Saturday, October 12 from 6 a.m. to midnight.

As for entertainment, Ray & the Rhythm Beat Band will be on the Valley Vista Stage from noon to 1:30 p.m. followed by Cold Duck from 2 to 4 p.m.   The Platters - Live will close the event from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the traditional favorites like the jump booths, dunk tank, and a variety of game booths, the committee has added a petting zoo and horse rides by Walnut Valley Riders.  Children of all ages will enjoy clowns, caricature artists, and more.

And the food!  Food Booth Chairperson Jean Scott says that there will be a large variety of foods to satisfy every taste bud you’ve got!  Many of our local service clubs and youth organizations use this event as a major fundraiser.  Please stop by and enjoy what they have to offer and support their many worthy causes.  There will be Italian ice, pizza, hot dogs and chili- dogs, tri-tip sandwiches, nachos, churros, snow cones, funnel cakes and more! 

And the pancake breakfast returns this year sponsored by the Walnut/Diamond Bar Lions Club. They will be at Suzanne Park from 8 to 10 a.m. serving pancakes, sausage and juice.

The Arts & Crafts Chairperson, Claudine Stines, has worked very hard this year recruiting new vendors.  She has successfully secured over 30 booths. Shop the Arts & Crafts booths for a large variety of handmade products ranging from photography, floral arrangements, pottery, jewelry, bird feeders, lotions, soaps, candles and ceramics.  There are lots of new vendors this year.  Maybe get some early holiday shopping done.

There will also be many of the favorite Community Awareness booths where local community service organizations are available for information or registration. AYSO, Walnut Pony Baseball, Walnut Sharks Swim Team and Walnut Youth Softball will be on hand to accept registration for the 2014 season.   Mt. San Antonio College will have information regarding many of their community education programs.  Make A Wish Foundation and Angels in Blue Jeans will also be available for information. Many local churches will have information booths.  Lots of valuable information will be available from many other organizations.

Visit the Business Expo and get acquainted with many of the local businesses available in Walnut. Wags to Whiskers, Discovered Treasures Thrift Store, Vein Medical Care, Wu Chiropractic, Wrap You Time, Thomas Sports Plaques, Julie Burger Photography, and Cookie Lee Jewelry are just a few of the many local and not-so local businesses that will be on site with displays, demonstrations, samples and other information.