Published: July 02, 2009 10:00 am      

Summerfest: Costume parade just for the kids

Area youngsters are invited to don red, white and blue and join the parade for the 29th annual San Marcos Summerfest Children's Parade and patriotic costume contest.

San Marcos' kid-friendly Summerfest Independence Day celebration is just two days away so organizers have issued a reminder that all kids and costumes are invited to participate in the parade and patriotic costume contest. This year's parade will be led by Uncle Sam.

The free community-wide Summerfest will be held at the city of San Marcos' San Marcos Plaza Park again this year. Food and activity booths will open at 5 p.m. A variety of food and other items will be available from on-site vendors.

The annual Children's Parade is scheduled for 5 p.m. Line-up will begin at 4:45 p.m. Costumed kids will be judged in “most patriotic” and “cutest” divisions with prizes awarded in each category and a “best overall” named.

The costume competition has been growing steadily over the last few years, according to Children's Parade chair Renae Hill. It will be followed by a patriotic program and live music leading up to the 9:30 p.m. fireworks exhibition.

Texas State University's KTSW radio will broadcast the patriotic music for the synchronized fireworks exhibition.

Summerfest is made possible by a partnership between the city of San Marcos, the San Marcos Lions Club, H-E-B and several corporations, organizations and individuals.

Serving their second year as co-chairs for Summerfest are San Marcos Parks and Recreation Recreation Manager Lisa Morris and San Marcos Convention and Visitor Bureau Director Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez.

Parking for Summerfest will be available at Texas State's Bobcat Stadium and Coliseum parking lots. The Lions Club's tube rental at City Park will be open for business all day.

For general information on Summerfest, contact the San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department at 393-8400 or the San Marcos Convention and Visitors Bureau at 393-5900.