Roselle heralds the season with Spring Family Fun Fest

More than 500 people are expected to jump-start the festival season this weekend in Roselle, at the Roselle Park District's annual Spring Family Fun Fest.

The main spectacle at the event, on Saturday, May 15, includes a kite-flying display by Chicago kites. And visitors who want to join in the show can craft their own kites, too.

Other activities include a fishing derby, a craft fair with more than 20 vendors wrapped around Turner Pond, inflatable play stations for children, a petting zoo, pony rides and face painting.

"It's our way of saying, 'Happy spring, let's go into summer,'" said park district spokeswoman Kathy Herrmann. "It was a great event for us in 2009 and we're hoping it goes beyond those expectations this year."

As the event grows in its second year, organizers added a new Bloomingdale Rotary bag tournament fundraiser that will run throughout the festival Saturday. The cost is $20 per team for a chance to win $100 and anyone who wants to sign up should visit brrotary.org or e-mail brrotary.bags@gmail.com. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club's charitable endeavors.

Other attractions at this year's fest include a bike safety inspection station manned by the Roselle Police Department, food vendors, and visits from Gameworks' Sonic the Hedgehog.

"It's really a great way to get the community involved in a little bit of everything," Hermann said.