Mentor CityFest offers wide variety of enjoyment and entertainment – News-Herald.com

Anyone who was looking for food, music and other fun activities had plenty to choose from on Aug. 21 if they attended Mentor CityFest.

The second and final day of the 2021 event took place from noon to 11 p.m. at Mentor Civic Center Park on Munson Road.

“It’s actually gone pretty well,” said Mentor Parks and Recreation Director Kenn Kaminski, as he surveyed the  festival grounds at about 3 p.m. Aug. 21.

Tim Franks prepares riblets at the Gary’s World Famous Foods booth on Aug. 21 during the 2021 Mentor CityFest. The two-day event, which kicked off on Aug. 20, took place at Mentor Civic Center Park. (Bill DeBus — The News-Herald)

Kaminski said the Parks and Recreation Department was excited to host the 2021 CityFest, after the celebration was canceled last year because of health and safety risks posed by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“It seems like everyone is having a great time and that’s what we’re looking for,” he said.

CityFest, which kicked off on Aug. 20 with a session from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., sought to provide plenty of fun for children and adult guests.

Dan Luckett, a juggler with the Cincinnati Circus Co., shows off his skills prior to the company’s stunt show on the afternoon of Aug. 21 at the 2021 Mentor CityFest. The two-day event, which kicked off Aug. 20, took place at Mentor Civic Center Park. (Bill DeBus — The News-Herald)

The festival’s Kids Zone offered attractions that included inflatable bounce houses and slides, as well as a rock wall and an extreme trampoline.

Sharon Esler of Willoughby was standing beside the trampoline on the afternoon of Aug. 21, watching her 10-year-old grandson, Jacob Esler, as he jumped for joy.

“He likes bouncy things,” Sharon said.

Meanwhile, the Adult Zone at Mentor City Fest offered a beer trailer, cornhole and other party games, as well an opportunity for guests to try their hand at axe-throwing.

Food vendors at the site were serving up items such as stromboli, barbecued meats, potato pancakes, crispy chicken wraps and kettle corn.

People who attended the festival also were able to visit booths occupied by local businesses and nonprofit organizations in the event’s Main Street.

Musically, the festival featured performances by three tribute bands. On Friday, Kings Highway delivered its Tom Petty tribute, while Saturday’s acts spotlighted Invincible, with its Pat Benetar tribute, and Who’s Bad, a Michael Jackson tribute band.

Kaminski said he noticed that many guests at the 2021 Mentor CityFest were trying to observe social distancing guidelines, with COVID-19 still being a matter of concern. He said the city of Mentor also provided hand-sanitizing stations throughout the festival grounds.

“I think people are just being careful,” Kaminski said. “But it’s an outside event and it’s a fantastic one.”

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