SUMMERFEST

FV'S BIGGEST ANNUAL FEST IVAL

The festival kept up with tradition and offered rides at a discounted rate on Thursday for “preview night” and a freworks show on Friday night sponsored by Hyundai. On Saturday, however, Open Sky Productions put on a drone light show above the park. Event attendees gathered as soon as the sun set to view the show.

For local music enthusiasts, the highlight was surely the wide range of acts on the community and main stages, including tribute bands of multiple genres and decades. ABBA LA, Urgent LA and Green Today were among tribute band highlights. Bands and choirs from Talbert, Fulton and Masuda middle schools performed on the community stage, as well as Voice of Fountain Valley competition winners Paige Taylor, Tricia Tran and Scarlett English.

Back again this year was local rock and party band Tijuana Dogs, fronted by the multifaceted Matt Mauser. The set ended Summerfest weekend in a most electric manner, drawing a large crowd of all ages to the area in front of the stage to a variety of songs ranging from Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” to “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morrissette. The band even performed a high-energy rap medley including “Lose Yourself” by Eminem and “Jump Around” by House of Pain.

Just like Summerfest in years past, it was another weekend of family fun and celebration of the community. This year, it was marked by a range of new live performances and food booths, living up to its reputation as a city event that has something for everyone.

Submitted by HEIDI MENZE Fountain Valley resident

This month’s family recipe for Ratatouille was submitted by Fountain Valley native Heidi Menze

She and her husband, Mike, attended Courreges and Fountain Valley elementary schools, respectively, followed by Fulton Middle School and Fountain Valley High School.

After a brief time Mission Viejo, they returned to Mike’s childhood home across the street from FVHS in 2011 and are raising Anthony, 14, and Alexis, 11.

“This recipe is a family favorite, especially at the holidays. It pairs nicely with a bowl of fresh pasta, or a delicious toasty piece of bread,” Heidi said. “We are a vegan family, so it fts nicely into what we already eat. Now we get to share it with others.”

RATATOUILLE INGREDIENTS

2 bell peppers

1 onion

4-6 Roma tomatoes

Garlic (bulb)

Salt, pepper

2 medium zucchini

2 yellow squash

1 Chinese eggplant (or any eggplant) olive oil

1/2 c. chopped parsley

1/2 c. chopped basil

2 tbsp. chopped thyme

Readers can email in their family recipes and stories along with photos (of recipe and family) to publisher@ fvlm.com provided

Ratatouille is loaded with fresh vegetables and has become a favorite for the Menze family.

►Pins for Kids set for Aug. 12

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley and the Fountain Valley Kiwanis Club Foundation are teaming up once again to present the Pins for Kids Bowling Tournament.

The 15th annual fundraising event, which includes a barbecued tri-tip and chicken dinner, begins at 5:30 p.m. with registration and dinner. The bowling tournament begins at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to the traditional bowling tournament, an online auction to help raise funds at the event is also planned.

How to get involved:

■ Make a sponsorship and bowl in the Pins for Kids Wii Bowling Tournament on Aug. 12.

■ Donate an item for the online auction.

■ Bid in the online auction, open from Aug. 4-12. Bidders can join in from their phone, tablet or computer and pick up items they’ve won after the event. By participating, you can help give thousands of children access to the Boys & Girls Clubs’ programs, like after-school care, full-day programs during the summer, sports leagues and more. You’ll help support the Kiwanis Club’s charity projects, including Robyne’s Nest, the Therapeutic Riding

Center of Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Orangewood Children’s Home, and support the club’s efforts to mentor local high school students and provide college scholarships.

For more information or to get involved, call (714) 899-5900 or visit bgchv. com/pins.