Auburn Parks and Recreation will host the 25th annual Auburn CityFest on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kiesel Park. This free, outdoor, family-friendly event will feature headlining act Circus Incredible and a selection of live music, local food retailers and over 100 arts and crafts vendors.
According to Ann Bergman, public relations specialist for Auburn Parks and Recreation, the inaugural CityFest started off small with only a handful of vendors.
CityFest began in 2000 when the current Parks and Recreation Director Alison Hall sought to create an arts and crafts festival that allowed the entire community to participate.
“It has now grown to just the largest outdoor event, probably, in Lee County,” Bergman said. “We continue CityFest because CityFest is an event that the entire Auburn community, all ages, can enjoy.”
Around the 15-year mark, Bergman said the festival started to incorporate themes ranging from sharks in the park to dinosaurs. This year's circus-themed carnival will feature headliner Circus Incredible, with supporting performances by Lew-e the Clown and stilt-walker Todd Key.
Various representatives from public safety, environmental services, local nonprofits, the art community and Auburn University will also feature exhibits like Scouting America and the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, which is an AU School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences outreach program.
Inflatables, rock walls and the ArtFest Tent will be available for children to explore and play for the duration of the event. Special appearances from Aubie the Tiger and the AU Raptor Center are set to begin at 11 a.m. and continue into the afternoon in addition to the day-long festivities.
Musical performances include the Grammy-nominated tribute band, The WannaBeatles, and two Auburn-based artists, Kasey Kaschak and Spoonful James.
With over 100 art vendors selling their creations and a juried art show exhibition, CityFest has become a thriving hub for artists in the community.
All products sold by art vendors must be hand-crafted or highly embellished, according to Bergman. This rule has not decreased demand to participate in the festival, with art vendor spots selling out by the end of March.
Selling out in two weeks, food vendor spots are also in high demand. Patrons can expect to find a wide-range of options at CityFest, including authentic Greek food, Turn and Burn Burgers, Rollin Pepperoni, Reggie's famous sausages and Chick-fil-A. Typical carnival food like kettle corn, cotton candy and funnel cake will also be served.
“You can bring your own picnic. You can bring your own juice boxes for your kids. You don't have to buy anything, but it's just a great place to be a part of the community,” Bergman said.
Volunteers and sponsors are an integral part of keeping this large-scale event organized and free for all. Bergman thanked the AU School of Nursing in particular for their support in this year’s CityFest by providing a sensory inclusion vehicle and tiger babies breastfeeding pods.
“[The sensory vehicle] is for people, children and individuals with invisible disabilities, where they can go and get some sensory stimulation, some quiet and a cool place to go and decompress from the festival,” Bergman said. “And that might mean that their family might be able to enjoy the festival longer, because their member of the family had a place where they could go and get a break.”
Additional first-aid assistance will also be provided as needed by VCOM.
In its 25th year, CityFest remains committed to establishing a safe environment for the entire Auburn Family to enjoy at no cost.
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Jennifer Santiago is a freshman in exploratory studies from Enterprise, AL. Santiago has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2024.
