By Brooke Gemina
Monterey Park will host its third annual Geranium Festival on Oct. 8 at Barnes Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be a nominal charge for a ride on the electric train and to rock climb.
Activities available at the festival will include face painting, three-legged races, Dunk-A-Principal , sack races, pie-eating contests and two dog contests.
A few bands, baile folklorico and martial arts group will be performing. The Geranium Festival will include an art walk which is still taking applications.
The applications can be found online at .montereypark.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5807.
The deadline to submit applications for space or stage time is Sept. 30.
This deadline is so that artists can have their names printed in the festival program. However, organizer Teresa Real Sebastian says, “if we have any stragglers, we might put them in.”
A $5 entry fee will permit artists a 10’ x 10’ space or stage time.
A $15 entry fee provides applicants with a 10’ x 10’ space plus a table and two chairs. Entry fees can be paid to Monterey Park ArtWalk and are due before the submission deadline on Sept. 30.
Entries are limited to the first 100 accepted applicants. Artists and artisans of all mediums and ages are welcome to apply.
The art walk is a new addition by Real Sebastian.
Real Sebastian said she wishes to “encourage that other part of the brain.”
There will be two dog contests in celebration of Monterey Park’s 100th anniversary.
Both contests are open to anybody and all dogs so long as they have a good temperament around other dogs and people and have a dog license as is mandatory in Monterey Park.
The first contest will be held at 1 p.m. for dogs weighing under 40 pounds and at 2 p.m. for dogs weighing over 40 pounds.
“Dogs will be judged on overall presentation. We’re leaving it open because some dogs know tricks, and some are just cute themselves,” Real Sebastian said.
Dogs are welcome to the rest of the festival so long as they are on a leash. Water bowls and biscuits will be available throughout the park.
Real Sebastian has contacted and confirmed a few participants for the Dunk-A-Principal including Jack F. Macy Intermediate’s principal, Jacinto Zavala.
Several groups will be present and providing demonstrations or exhibits including the Monterey Park Fire Department and ELAC’s very own Biology and Chemistry Club.
Parking can be found on residential streets surrounding the park and at the Langley Center on West Emerson Avenue. Real Sebastian has been organizing festival for three years which she originally came up with.
“It’s supposed to be like a country fair,” Real Sebastian said.
Last year’s festival had several science and technology booths and was themed around S.T.E.M. research.
“Bring your camera; you’ll be sure to get some great pictures,” said Real Sebastian.
The festival is so named because the geranium is Monterey Park’s city flower.
Admission and most activities are free.