BY RAYMOND MENDOZA

Walnut – Residents once again came out in droves on Sat., Oct. 11, for the annual Walnut Family Festival – the City’s largest event with games, food and entertainment.

This year’s event theme was, “Rooted in Fun,” marking the City’s declaration as “Tree City U.S.A,” for being environmentally conscience.

As always, the day was started with an 8 a.m. Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Lions Club, and followed by the parade from Lemon Avenue to Suzanne Road. The parade included special appearances from City officials, local charity organizations, and the Walnut High School Blue Thunder Marching Band.

During the opening ceremonies at Suzanne Park, Congressman Ed Royce joined the Walnut City Council on stage to welcome the residents to the event and congratulate the City on being known as one of the best cities to raise a family with a high quality of life.

“I have an opportunity as a member of congress to see a lot of parts of the world, but when I go to the schools here in Walnut and I see the community events, we all feel really good because this is really, really the example of what all of us aspire for in the United States,” Royce said. “This quality of life, these opportunities for our children – thank you for making it possible.”

Mayor Tragarz thanked everyone for braving the 90 degree weather, especially the community members at the Festival booths raising money for local non-profit organizations.

Walnut Family Festival newcomers, Robert and Renee Carpenter and their son Jacob, were excited to mix with the community and said the Festival was a perfect opportunity to do so. The Carpenters were residents of Monterey Park in Los Angeles until they moved to Walnut six months ago, where the couple immediately agreed that Walnut was a perfect place to raise a family, make friends and retire.

“We’re very happy here,” Robert said about becoming a Walnut resident and enjoying community event like the Walnut Family Festival.

The Carpenters even made their family a little larger at the festival, as they adopted a dog named Buster from the Redland’s Animal Shelter booth.

“I like the adoptions,” Renee said. “I like that they’re putting it out there and getting people to adopt.”

President of the Lions Club and 37-year resident, Jack Keating, said he was glad to be helping raise money for small City projects with the help of his organization’s booth. Keating said he also expects to raise an estimated $400 to $500 from his booth’s popcorn sales this year, which would go toward any of the programs the Lions Club has, including purchasing trees for the City, or the scholarships the group gives to Walnut High School graduates. Keating said the Festival never disappoints and that the strength of the community is what makes Walnut such a great city.

“The festival is about treating and involving yourself with all the people who live in the City of Walnut,” Keating said.