New KeyFest comes to Gateway Park

Colleen Slater, KP News

Last year’s KeyFest festivities took place at Volunteer Park. Organizers say the new, larger Wauna-area location will be a win-win for community and vendors. File photo by Hugh McMillan, KP News

The key word for KeyFest 2013 is “new.”

This year’s community fair will be hosted at the new Gateway Park at Wauna, a new location. There will be new events, new ticket prices and new entry and exit routes.

A carnival will offer rides for those 36 inches or taller, and plenty of fun for those under the 3-foot limit. The KP Lions will offer rubberband guns, Girl Scouts will do facepainting and games of chance will draw in participants. A “keep or release” trout pond will be open for $1 a pole.

Kris Sherman will bring her petting zoo animals and a roving magician will add to the delights of the fair.

A vehicle show will feature motorcycles, boats, small planes and cars of all sorts (up to 30 feet in length). A Best of Show award will be given. Registration is $10 and vehicles are expected to be in place all weekend. Call (253) 278-2064 for available space.

For those 21 and older, a beer and wine garden will be open.

Two stages will provide a variety of entertainment each day. The Friday, July 12 evening event is country music by Second Ride, followed by Folsom Prism, a Johnny Cash tribute band.

On Saturday, July 13, Louis Foxx, a one-man side show, will take the stage at 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Other acts include K C Brakes’ Hawaiian Island music, and balloon twister Jami will perform her magic for the kids. The Rick Beatty Band presents a wide variety of guitar music from rock, blues, Latin and other styles to techno, followed by singer Kim Archer doing soul, funk, ballads and a variety in between.

The last show Saturday evening will be SweetKiss Momma, a southern-style rock ‘n’ roll band.

On Sunday, July 14, the Key’s Got Talent show is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the final show will be Richard Allen and The Louisiana Experience, a high-energy folk/blues/Zydeco band.

This year’s fair has booked about 75 vendors, including plenty of food: two barbecues –– Murph’s and Bretski’s –– deli sandwiches and a couple of choices for hot dogs. The popular Carter’s Chocolates and ice cream returns and beverage stands include two coffee/latte options.

There will be a wide variety of crafts, both handmade and commercial, including jewelry and pottery. Other vendors offer cosmetics, massage and several nonprofit organizations will be represented.

Pre-sale entry tickets that include all-day rides are $20, for sale at Goin’ Postal, Blend Wine Shop, Ellis Accounting, KP Community Services, Serenity Salon, Sound Credit Union, American Family Insurance, Tax Shack and Sunnycrest Nursery.

All-day ride tickets are $19 (plus entry fees) if purchased inside the fair grounds.

The entry price varies each day: Friday (4 to 11 p.m.) is $5, Saturday (10 a.m. to 11 p.m.) is $6, Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) is $4. There will be free admission for those under 36 inches tall.

Peninsula Light is the presenting fair sponsor. Friends of the Fair sponsors include Food Market, LZ Property Management LLC, Fife RV Center, Larson PowerSports Northwest, Angel Guild, Outdoor Channel HD, Northwest Camping Center, Wave Broadband and Bruce Titus Port Orchard Ford.

Volunteer Park’s main buildings and gate will be closed for the duration of the fair.

There will be no parade because of traffic considerations, and no left turns will be allowed –– in or out of the fairgrounds –– to help eliminate traffic backups. Directional signs will be posted, using 118th Street for both routes.

For information, visit KeyFest.org or call (253) 444-3547.