Lakewood's SummerFEST Heats Up Early

LAKEWOOD, WA — For the first time at Lakewood's annual SummerFEST, Seattle Ballooning will light up the night sky with a spectacular hot air balloon show to cap off a full day of free family fun at Fort Steilacoom Park on July 13. As an added bonus, two lucky people — including at least one child — will get their own special hot air balloon ride as a reward for winning the SummerFEST Kids Art Contest raffle.

Kids between 4 and 16 years old have until July 13 to come up with their most stylish SummerFEST art design for a chance to win the one-hour hot air balloon ride over the festival. All they have to do to get their name in the raffle is submit their artistic entry form in-person on the day of SummerFEST. The raffle winner will get to schedule their hot air balloon ride with Seattle Ballooning for after SummerFEST.

Additional but unspecified prizes will be given to the best art entries based on age groups (4 to 7 years, 8 to 11 years, and 12 to 16 years old). The city's Arts Commission will judge each entry.

Lakewood's SummerFEST reportedly saw roughly 45,000 visitors in 2018, and organizers are expecting this year to be even greater.

Events this year include a triathlon, extreme trampoline and freestyle motocross shows, musical performances, a LEGO-building contest, a classic cars show, and the nighttime screening of Hugh Jackman film, "The Greatest Showman," which is also the SummerFEST 2019 theme.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 13 at 8714 87th St. S.W. in Lakewood.

Click here for more information on the art contest, including a copy of the entry form.

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Editor's Note: This post previously said the raffle winner would enjoy their hot air balloon ride the day of the event.