Cypress Community Festival

The City of Cypress held its annual State of the City luncheon on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at the Cypress Community Center. The event featured Mayor Douglas A. Bailey who shared with the community the many accomplishments of the City in 2011.

During his address the Mayor had high praise for the Cypress Community Festival and the many volunteers who produce this annual birthday party for the City of Cypress. Mayor Bailey stated: “Our Community Festival was a successful and a joyous occasion for all, highlighting the high quality of life the residents of Cypress have come to expect and enjoy.”

The 2011 Festival was well-attended with about 30,000 guests and continued the tradition of being the largest single day festival in Orange County. Main stage entertainment last year included Go Country 105 DJ Shawn Parr, Orange County country artist Peter Brandon and the rock/blues band Chris Anderson Group (CAG).

Thousands participated in the Chili&Salsa; contests and the annual Cypress Car Show while being entertained by the Roadhouse Band. Families&kids enjoyed the Ronald McDonald magic show, Knott’s Berry Farm’s Snoopy character and the furry creatures from Wild Animal Kingdom.

The Festival is planned and produced by a group of volunteers known as the Cypress Community Festival Association. These hard working citizens partner with our local Cypress Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of Cypress Recreation, the Cypress Kiwanis Club and representatives from the City Recreation Dept.

The 2012 Cypress Community Festival is set for Saturday, July 28th at Oak Knoll Park, 5700 Orange Ave. in Cypress just east of Valley View. The Cypress 5K and 10K Walk/Run is scheduled for the same date. There will be a Kiwanis Pancake breakfast in the morning and continuous entertainment on 4 stages from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

One of the best things about the Festival is that it’s absolutely free to the public. This is only possible because of the generous support of our business sponsors and the hard work of many dedicated volunteers. The Festival includes a Business Expo as well as vendor booths with arts&crafts. Many local non-profit groups also have booths at the Festival with games, food and information. There are food vendors, rides for the kids and lots of fun for all ages.

Businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations are encouraged to inquire about becoming vendors or sponsors. Information about the Cypress Community Festival is available by phone at (714) 886-9749, by email at info@cypressfestival.com, on Twitter, Facebook and the Festival website located at: http://www.cypressfestival.com/

Photo Caption: Mayor Doug Bailey of Cypress CA at the Cypress Community Festival.

The 2012 Cypress Community Festival is set for Saturday, July 28th at Oak Knoll Park near Orange&Valley View in Cypress, CA 90630

To keep up with the latest info about the Cypress Community Festival we invite you to follow us on Twitter @CypressCAFest - our Twitter URL is: http://twitter.com/CypressCAFest/

We also have a great Faceook page and would really appreciate your "Like" - Visit the Festival on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cypress-Community-Festival/134393711821

Our primary website is located at: http://www.cypressfestival.com/

The Cypress Community Festival is looking for volunteers to assist with the planning and production of their July 28, 2012 event. Teens, college students&adults of all ages are needed.
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The Festival is the signature event for the City of Cypress. It is the largest 1 day event in Orange County CA and draws about 30,000 visitors each year. The Festival is held at Oak Knoll Park in July each year. There is a Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast, 5K/10K Walk/Run, Car Show, Chili Cookoff, Vendors, Continuous entertainment, Business Expo and a lot more.
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Volunteers are needed throughout the year to plan and produce this event. The first planning meeting in set for Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tanglewood North Clubhouse, 9672 Paseo de Oro, Cypress, CA 90630.
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This is an exciting opportunity to meet new friends and serve your community at the same time. You may wish to help find sponsors, process vendor applications, write and post Festival news, assist with setup, take publicity photos or assist with any number of activities.
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To find out more visit the Festival website at: http://www.cypressfestival.com. If you would like to make a difference and get involved please email: info@cypressfestival.com

Another fabulous Festival for the record books. Even the typical California weather was great, not too hot with a mild sea breeze. Many families took advantage of such a beautiful day by joining the thousands at the 31st Cypress Community Festival held at Oak Knoll Park on July 23rd.  The day started early for runners at the 5K and 10K run/ walk put on by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department. Runners could re-energize by enjoying a great breakfast prepared by the Cypress Kiwanis Club who were flipping pancakes on a hot grill.

At 9 a.m. the Festival grounds were officially open and dedicated by the Cypress City Council members who lead the audience in singing America the Beautiful. Taking the stage immediately after was young Jenna Welch who beautifully sang our National Anthem. More entertainment followed with dance groups from Miss Ginger’s dance classes that are offered through the Recreation and Parks Department. And finishing the morning, the audience enjoyed the popular “A Touch of Polynesia” dancers under the direction of Rose Cason.

Taking a stroll on the meandering park walkways, shoppers were met by the many vendors that were selling anything from pottery to jewelry and from wind chimes to children’s clothing. Guests also enjoyed visiting the many Chamber Business Expo booths.  All sorts of yummy goodies to fill one’s hunger could be found.

CAG, known as the Chris Anderson Group, started the afternoon entertainment on the main stage. Popular country star Peter Brandon, along with Go Country 105 radio celebrity star, Shawn Parr, entertained and thrilled country music lovers. Continuing with good ol’country music, Billy and the Bandits finished the afternoon hours by performing many old-time favorites.

The stage in the Chili competition area was the site of the rock ‘n roll band, Roadhouse. They were kept busy playing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to Chili Cook-off Chair, Brian Sunley, there were 38 registered chili-making pros that were in the competition for people’s votes. Speaking of votes, once again the folks at the Friends of the Cypress Recreation District sold out of the Taster’s Choice ballots that started selling at 12 noon. Guess there’s a lot of people that like that hot stuff.  So much so, that the first place winner is a returning champ – C&C; Chili headed by Clancy Crooks.  Second place winner was the Free Fat Chili Team coordinated by Tony Adams. The third place prize went to Roberts Concrete Chili.

Many people appreciate the beauty of vintage era vehicles. That’s why the 16th Annual Car Show is always popular. This year there were 73 entries. The Best of Show was awarded to Richard Bateman, owner of a 1955 Chevy ½ ton truck. Also winning for a second time was Tim Avila, owner of a brightly painted “Tequila Sunrise” 1941 Willy.

The Wild Kingdom animal presentations, along with the interesting Mobile Science Museum exhibit, both sponsored by Mutual of Omaha excited kids of all ages.

Throughout the day, thousands of people celebrated and enjoyed the 31st Cypress Community Festival. Leaving the Festival I happened to eaves-dropped in a family’s conversation and was happy to hear them say: “Gosh that was fun, let’s come back next year!”

The planned date for the next Festival is Saturday, July 28, 2012. If you, your business or your non-profit organization would like to participate in the 2012 Festival as a Sponsor or have your own booth you may obtain information by email at: info@cypressfestival.com  Keep up to date on the latest Festival news and happenings on Facebook, Twitter or at http://www.cypressfestival.com

Photo Caption: The "Chil-Ettes" from Roberts Concrete served up tasty chili at the 2011 Cypress Community Festival held Saturday, July 23rd at Oak Knoll Park.

If you do not see the photo please click this link:
http://www.americantowns.com/ca/cypress/news/family-fun-at-cypress-festival-6153451

Each year as part of the Cypress Community Festival, the Friends of the Cypress Recreation and Parks, Inc. hold a car show. This year marked the 16th Annual Car Show with 85 entries. The competition and judging was very difficult because of so many fine vehicles registered. This year we have a returning champion: Tim Avila with his 1941 Tequila Sunrise Willy won the People’s Choice Award.

Willys were produced from 1937 to 1942 as either a 4-door sedan, a 2-door hardtop coupe, a 3-door station wagon or a 2 door pick-up truck. However the Willys Americar coupe, produced by Willys-Overland Motors, was the more popular model. As part of the patriotic environment, only the 1941 and 1942 models were called “Americar.” The price tag for an Americar was $630. Approximately 22,000 were sold in 1941 and 7,000 in 1942.

Tim Avila’s orange/red “Tequila Sunrise” 1941 Willy is an all-steel coupe. He stated that his car had been originally built as a drag racing car in 1975. In 1977 Hot Rod magazine did a write up on his car. However, in 1982 he crashed his car at the Orange County Raceway and it sat in his enclosed trailer for 23 years. After doing a lot of work on the car, the last thing he needed to do was the paint job. After mixing just the right shade of colors, he came up with a unique shade of red and orange. He was out with some friends at a Mexican restaurant, having dinner one night when he realized that the color of his Tequila Sunrise drink was the exact paint color of his Willy, so he christened his Willy Tequila Sunrise.

The Best of Show award was given to Richard Bateman for his 1955 ½ ton Chevy Truck. Richard bought the truck seven years ago and with his family’s help, they restored it within five years. The paint color is called Candy Tangerine which is certainly an eye-catching color. Mr. Bateman’s truck is sponsored by the R P B Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Company from Bellflower.

Congratulations to both award winners! We hope to see you at next year’s Cypress Community Festival and Car Show on Saturday, July 28, 2012. Complete information about the 2012 Cypress Community Festival is available online at: http://www.cypressfestival.com or those interested my email: info@cypressfestival.com

Not able to view our photo? Click the link: http://www.americantowns.com/ca/cypress/news/avila-and-bateman-win-top-cypress-car-show-awards-6127293

There are many ways to say thanks. Sponsors of the 2011 Cypress Community Festival were properly recognized and appreciated at the Sponsors’ Breakfast with the Mayor that was held on Wednesday, July 20th.

Sponsors with their generous support help to provide the foundation for this city-wide celebration. Many local residents and businesses realize the importance of the Cypress Community Festival and become supporters of the event.

We offer our simple, yet sincere THANK YOU to each 2011 Cypress Community Festival Sponsor, which include:

Platinum: Aleshire&Wynder, LLP; City of Cypress; Consolidated Disposal Service; the Event News; GO Country 105; the Gardens Hawaiian Casino; TheHomeMag; the News Enterprise; Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach; UnitedHealthcare; Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA.

Gold: Above All Catering; Celebrations Party Rentals; Warland Investment Co.

Bronze: Chick-fil-A; Forest Lawn Memorial Parks; Knott’s Berry Farm; Salon.25; Tom & Eve Wheeler; Toyo Tires; West Anaheim Medical Center/La Palma Intercommunity Hospital.

Patron: Bikeland Cypress; Bowman Real Estate; Crystal Geyser; Cypress School District; George & Lynn Pardon.

Contributor: Costco; Cypress Church; Hansen Auto Body; Lovely Nails - Los Alamitos; the Family Plumber, Inc.; Murphy, Murphy and Murphy Inc.; Robert & Anne Hertz; Southern California Edison; and Yogurt Twist.

Chili Cook-off Sponsors for 2011 are the Event News and Fred Guy Auto Body.

Cypress 5K/10K Race Sponsors:  Principal: Bandai Foundation. Media: Jack FM. Gold: Mitsubishi Motors; American Rentals; Yamaha; Los Alamitos Race Track. Silver: Healthcare Partners - Jeffrey Roth, D.O.; Crystal Geyser; Hyatt Summerfield Suites - Cypress/Anaheim.

This year the Sponsors’ Breakfast was with Mayor Leroy Mills. The children’s’ dance group from the Cypress Boys and Girls Club entertained the audience. The Breakfast was catered by Above All Catering and was sponsored by the law firm of Aleshire & Wynder, LLP.

The next Festival date will be July 28, 2012. Businesses and individuals who desire to serve their community are encouraged to become Cypress Community Festival Sponsors. Information is available by emailing sponsors@cypressfestival.com or by visiting the Festival website at: http://www.cypressfestival.com

If you are unable to view the photo please click the link: http://www.americantowns.com/ca/cypress/news/cypress-festival-sponsors-recognized-and-appreciated-6112571

They came back with vengeance to re-claim their first place prize. Clancy Crooks, along with his fellow chili-making C and C chili team members, came charging through to re-take this year’s first prize winner status. Last year the C and C Chili Team took third place, which broke their 15-year reign as first place winners.

There were 35 participants in this year’s Chili Cook-Off and Salsa Contest, which is part of the annual Cypress Community Festival. The Cook-Off is coordinated by the Friends of the Cypress Recreation and Parks, Inc. Chili Cook-Off Chair Brian Sunley was up to his elbows, counting and categorizing the more than 1,400 Taster’s Choice ballots. Last year many folks were turned away because all the Taster’s Choice ballots had been sold, so this year Brian printed 1,400 ballots and they still sold out.

Tony Adams, chief cook and coordinator for the Free Fat Chili team received second place. This year the team enticed chili tasters with specially-made mini-bread bowls that cradled their all-meat chili. Tony said they use premium meat that is purchased at Brees Meats located in Garden Grove. This year’s team members are Tony Adams, Sean and Julie Kelly, Kerry Burns, Nate and Chrissy Depauw, Gabe Gianetti and Scott Walker.

Several years ago Tony got involved in chili competitions with his brother. Sadly his brother passed about six years ago and Tony decided to continue in his honor. He plans to continue pursuing his goal of one day coming home with the first place prize.

Third place winner went to the Roberts Concrete Chili team. The Best Overall Salsa award and the Best Chili by a Rookie award, both went to Matt McMahan with Uncle Ron’s Chili team. And receiving the award for the Best Decorated Chili Booth was again won by the Santana salsa team. The ReMax team won the Division 1 category. AYSO team won the Division 2 category. The Cypress High School Booster Club won the Division 4 category. The Ernest Chili team won the Division 5 category. And the Big Wave Chili team won the award for “the People Who Are There for the Fun of it.”

The next Cypress Community Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Oak Knoll Park. Complete Festival information is available online at: http://www.cypressfestival.com

If you are having trouble viewing the photo below please click this link: http://www.americantowns.com/ca/cypress/news/c-and-c-chili-takes-first-place-at-cypress-festival-6096551

The 30th Annual Cypress 5K&10K Run/Walk was held on Saturday, July 23rd and attracted 1475 participants from 19 states. The weather was perfect and the flat and fast course attracted many talented runners. The City would like to thank the numerous volunteers who, year after year, help to make this an amazing event.

Special thanks also goes out to our sponsors, who helped make the Run a great success! The Media Sponsor was JACK FM.

Principal Sponsor: Bandai Foundation; Gold Sponsors: American Rentals, Mitsubishi Motors, Yamaha Motor Corporation, Los Alamitos Race Track

Silver Sponsors: Crystal Geyser, Dr. Jeff Roth from Healthcare Partners – Race Doctor, Hyatt Summerfield Suites Cypress/Anaheim

Product Sponsors: Cascadian Farms, CLIF Builder’s Bars, It’s a Grind Coffee House, LARABAR, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Papa John’s Pizza, Realty Executives Alliance, Rita Gamil, Sun Rype Fruit Strips

We would also like to congratulate this year’s winners: 10K Awards: First Place - $1000, Second Place - $500, Third Place - $250.

10K Male First Place:  Christian Hesch, 32 years old from North Hollywood Time: 29:24
10K Male Second Place: Courtney Williams, 22 years old from Flagstaff, AZ Time: 29:26 
10K Male Third Place: Mohamed Fabil, 29 years old from Albuquerque, NM Time: 29:33
10k Female First Place: Hirut Mandefro, 25 years old from Flagstaff, AZ Time: 35:02
10K Female Second Place: Julie Ertel, 38 years old from Irvine, CA  Time: 35:29
10K Female Third Place: Juliane Masciana, 26 years old from Anaheim, CA Time: 35:42
5K Male: Anthony Solis, 21 years old from Long Beach, CA   Time: 14:59
5k Female: Sylvia Mosqueda, 45 years old from Whittier, CA  Time: 17:20

For more race results please go to: http://results.active.com/pages/page.jsp?eventID=1931847&pubID=3
For more information, please call Cypress Recreation & Community Services at (714) 229-6780.
Information about the Cypress Community Festival is available at: http;//www.cypressfestival.com

If you are unable to view the photo below please click on this link: http://www.americantowns.com/ca/cypress/news/hesch-wins-2011-cypress-5k-10k-run-walk-6081565

It’s finally here folks! The 31st annual Cypress Community Festival will unfold Saturday, July 23 at Oak Knoll Park located at 5700 Orange Ave in Cypress. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. The Festival has become the trademark of Cypress, CA and remains as the largest single-day event throughout Orange County.

All of the primary players and headliners will return, too. That includes D.J. Shawn Parr, country singer Peter Brandon, the Roadhouse Band, Billy and the Bandits and the Chris Anderson Group on the Main Stage. In addition, the Chili Cook-off, Salsa Contest, annual Car Show, Cypress 5K/10K Race, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Police K-9 Demo, children’s rides, clowns, Polynesian dancers and other activities will be event staples again this year.

There are also some late-breaking new additions such as the Reallyshooo Kid’s Review, which will be on the Children’s Stage starting at 3:00 p.m. This latest addition to the Festival begins with a keyboard-led sing-a-long with kids from the audience. This is followed by an accordion-led sing-a-long with the kids helping supply the lyrics. Next come quick lessons on the ukulele, rub boards and various drums with the kids joining in either on the stage or in a Mardi Gras style parade.

The Reallyshooo group from Desert Hot Springs recently completed a weekend performance at the Bayou Festival in Long Beach. Part of the group will be playing at the Whale and Ale in San Pedro later Saturday evening after their Festival show. Information about this group is available at: http://www.myspace.com/reallyshooomusic or by calling 760.329.1763.

This year at the Festival there will be an opportunity drawing that will be open to all visitors. The Grand Prize is a bicycle, donated by Bikeland of Cypress.

Additional prizes will include two tickets to the “Always Patsy Cline” show starring Sally Struthers with Christa Jackson as Patsy. The act is playing at the historic Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton through July 31. This tribute to the legendary singer includes 27 of her songs including: “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces” and “Sweet Dreams.” Information about the show is available at 714.589.2770.

Last summer the Cypress Community Festival set new attendance records with over 30,000 visitors. Members of the Cypress Community Festival Association produce this annual event. Visitors will be able to recognize Committee members by their trademark red shirts. The Festival expects to set new records in 2011.

The Cypress Community Festival Association is composed of local volunteers. These area residents donate countless hours of hard work and dedication to make this event a success each year. The Festival Chairperson for 2011 is Heather Erickson. She succeeds Dave Sluga who chaired the event in 2009 and 2010. Complete Festival information is available at http://www.cypressfestival.com or email: info@cypressfestival.com

If you have trouble viewing the photo below please click this link:
http://www.americantowns.com/ca/cypress/news/2011-cypress-festival-finally-here-6041847

Adults and children alike will enjoy understanding natural sciences while visiting the Mobile Science Museum, known as the M.S.M. The Museum is part of the community outreach program provided by the California State University at Long Beach and is actually a large 27-ft mobile home that was converted into a hands-on laboratory with lots of interactive exhibits.

Some of the more popular interactive exhibits are the Marine Touch Tank, the Floating Sphere, and the Motion Chair. Each of these exhibits will provide a unique experience.

The Marine Touch Tank allows children and adults to pet and hold a velvety Ocre Sea Star, or the spiny Purple Sea Urchin, a soft Sea Cucumber or watch a Hermit Crab. The Floating Sphere involves a steady stream of fast moving air so that the guest can levitate the ball about one foot from the air stream source and keep it there. If you move the air stream source, the ball will follow it; however, it always is at the same distance from the air stream source, which is called the Bernoulli’s Principle.

The Motion Chair will demonstrate how a spinning bike wheel is used to control the direction and the rate of your spinning just by tilting the wheel. And as you sit in the Motion Chair, you can spin around slowly or fast just by moving the lead weights closer or farther from your body. These two principles of physics are called the Gyroscopic Procession and the Conversation of Angular Momentum.

For fun learning more about natural sciences, be sure to stop and visit the M.S.M on Saturday, July 23, at the Cypress Community Festival held at Oak Knoll Park, 5700 Orange Avenue, Cypress. And be sure to check-out the Festival website at http://www.cypressfestival.com

To view photo please click this link:
http://www.americantowns.com/ca/cypress/news/having-fun-with-science-at-the-cypress-festival-5958231