Amphitheater Opening: Schedule of Events, Where to Park

If you haven't heard yet, there's a big party going on Saturday at . A really big one. It's planned to celebrate the opening of one really big thing, the city's new amphitheater, and it's called

There will be plenty of stuff to keep the kids busy—amublance and fire truck tours, inflatable bounce houses, magicians, jugglers, crafts and more. Bring a bit of cash because there's going to be lots of food, including Charlie Gitto's, Surf Dogs Grill, Popcorn Palace. Mike Geisel, the Chesterfield director of parks and recreation, said everyone is welcome to bring a picnic, too, as long as there's no glass.

Geisel said there will be a scavenger hunt that encourages families to explore the new trails and amphitheater. There will be hot air balloon rides, too.

And in case all of that wasn't enough, there's live music and entertainment. The new ampitheater's stage is packed with performances, including dancers, local school orchestra groups, a garage band, local cover bands and a nationally known artists, Josh Golden and Edwin McCain.

Did we mention this is a big party? It runs from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., too, so come at any time.

We'll be there too. Chesterfield Patch will have a tent on the left side of the amphitheater, and we'll be taking photos of the all-day event. Come say hi!

Here's the run down of the day's schedule:

Activities
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: A classic car show, which Geisel said includes 40 custom cars.
10:30 a.m to 4 p.m.: Safety Fair exhibit. Many organizations are participating in this exhibit, including the Eureka Police K-9 unit, the Red Cross, Monarch Fire Protection District (which will give tours of an ambulance and fire truck), and more. Geisel also said a bomb and arson robot will be used for demonstations
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Train rides, inflatable bounce houses and other equipment, caricature drawings, face painting and magicians
4 to 6 p.m.: Hot air balloon rides

Entertainment
11 to 11:30 a.m.: The Little Gym
11:45 a.m.  to 12:15 p.m.: HI NRG Gymnastics
12:30 to 1 p.m.: Miss Kim's Dance Class
1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Rockin' Strings, from the Crestview Middle School Orchestra
2:30 to 3 p.m.:  Orchestra
3:30 to 4 p.m.: Million Hits, which Geisel described as a local garage band
4:30 to 5:45 p.m.: Josh Golden
6:15 to 6:45 p.m.: The dedication of the amphitheater
6:45 to 8 p.m.: Planet Boogie, an '80s cover band
8:45 to 10 p.m.: Edwin McCain 

Radio Disney and Y98 will be on-site with road shows, too.

How to park: Park on the noth side of , by the and old Bahama Breeze. It will be marked and easy to find. The city is running three 55-passenger coaches pretty much continuously, so you won't have to wait to get to the event.