Valleyfest to make debut at Mirabeau park

The 15th annual Valleyfest enters a new era Saturday when it is held at Mirabeau Meadows Park for the first time.

The popular Valley festival was previously held at Terrace View Park every year until crowding took its toll. Mirabeau Meadows, a 10-acre park at Mirabeau Point, was completed last year. The park, site of the long-defunct Walk in the Wild zoo, is located on Mirabeau Parkway east of Pines.

All the old favorites are back, but in new locations. Check-in for the annual fun run is at 7:30 a.m. at the Sullivan Road Trailhead. The 1.5-mile run will end at the Mirabeau Park North Trailhead. The run is free unless participants want to buy an $8 T-shirt.

The parade begins at 9 a.m. following a new route from the University City Mall north on University and east on Mission to Valley Mission Park. The traditional pancake breakfast will be served in the Mirabeau Meadows picnic shelter from 8 to 11 a.m. The charge is $4.50 for adults and $3.50 for children.

The booths and entertainment in the park will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All games and concerts are free.

The Valley YMCA, located just to the south of Mirabeau Meadows, will have an open house for members and nonmembers from noon to 7 p.m. All activities and classes will be free. Special skate park sessions are planned and there will be live music.

Parking at Mirabeau Meadows will be limited to handicapped parkers only. STA will run a shuttle service to pick up people at 10 locations in the Valley Mall parking lots (look for signs). The bus will also pick up people at the Pinecroft Business Park at Pines and Mirabeau Parkway. People may also park at Trent Elementary and Mirabeau Chapel, both at Pines and Mirabeau Parkway, and cross Pines to catch the shuttle bus at the business park.