While every one is invited, BeachFest is the one event every one from the southern tip of Mission Boulevard to Turquoise and east to the I-5 can be proud to take part in. The event was created to bring together 92109’s various communities of families, college students, surfers, retirees, young adults and elementary, middle and high school students for a day fun while showcasing the best of the area’s businesses that work for all of us. And with the weather forecast predicting sunny but cooler weather, approximately 50,000 people are expected to head to Ocean Boulevard between Thomas and Felspar streets Saturday, Oct. 11. The daylong event gets an early start with the 8K Beachrun from Crystal Pier to the jetty at 7:30 a.m., but BeachFest doesn’t really get shaking with music and dancing until 11 a.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance led by troops from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, The Corvettes will turn on their amps and work the crowd with their nostalgic set of rock’n’roll classics that cover three decades of great music at the Pacific Nissan Main Stage near the foot of Hornblend Street. Local singer/songwriter Andrea Reschke will take the Discover Pacific Beach Community Stage two blocks north at Felspar Street also at 11 a.m. While the main stage will focus on rock and swing to move you, the community stage has a line up of locals to cheer on, including freestyle rollerskaters Skate This!, PB Kids Rock (covering the songs of the White Stripes, Feist, the Cramps and more), the Mission Bay High School Dixie Jazz Band, Jen Jayden followed by up-and-coming rock stars from the Paul Green School of Rock Music. BeachFest coordinators at Discover Pacific Beach said they are always working to include new events, groups and activities to keep the annual event evolving. Discover Pacific Beach Executive Director Benjamin Nicholls said this year’s BeachFest has grown, expanding north. Nicholls said along with the community stage, Felspar Street will also featuring a San Diego Police Department law enforcement expo. “All the cool things that the police department has, such as the SWAT tank, their motorcycle [fleet] and antique police cars and paddy wagons will be out on display for people to take a look at,” he said. “We work a lot with the police department, but we don’t get a chance to showcase a lot of what they do here.” Nicholls said for a donation to the police foundation, visitors can climb in the back of the paddy wagon and pose for photos. Another new addition to the event is the co-ed beach tennis tournament. Interested players can sign up to play the new, but growing sand sport, at any time after 9 a.m. Along with the approximate 20 community groups involved with making BeachFest happen, PB’s student volunteers will be helping out making sure things are going smoothly. But the students, their parents and teachers are making sure it’s not all work and no play. The Friends of PB Secondary Schools (FOPBSS) will test the adults against middle school students with its “Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?” game. And what could be more fun for a kid than soaking a grown-up in Pacific Beach Elementary School’s dunk tank? But not just any grown-ups. For $1, kids will get two tries to send their teachers, coaches, principals and vice principals splashing around at the bottom of the tank. Returning activities to BeachFest include the daylong Beach Volleyball Challenge with players competing for more than $2,000 in prize money, acrobatic kite flying demonstrations by the San Diego Kite Flying Association, wind surfing and the merchant and vendor areas offering something for all interests. And, of course, the Taste of Pacific Beach Food Court is returning to Hornblend Street, where a variety of local restaurants will offer inexpensive sample items from their menus. “Food is priced low so people can try a number of foods from all local restaurants,” Nicholls said. Participating restaurants include: Abby’s Candies — ice cream and smoothies Bareback Grill — sliders Caffé Bella Italia — pasta Hooters — hot wings Leilani’s Café — kalua pork sliders and teriyaki chicken Olde City Grill — pizza and cheesesteaks Pacific Beach Central Café – grilled cheese and turkey wraps Pacific Beach Smoothie — smoothies Pacific Bean — acai bowls and iced mochas Synergy Vegan Café — vegan desserts and kombucha The Turquoise — tapas Nicholls said the prices are kept low so people can try a variety of the different fare offered by local eateries. “We’ve changed around the way the food court works,” he said. “Food is really a big part of the event. Guests can buy ‘beach bucks’ at the various soda booths and they can be used for food or rides at the kids’ carnival on Grand.” So how do you end of day of outdoor music, dancing, food, sports and fun? With a fireworks show, of course. In it’s grand tradition, BeachFest will sign off with a fireworks extravaganza launched over the ocean from the end of Crystal Pier, signifying the end of the family-fun event.