Careful consideration was given to selection of balls to get a prize at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
It was a day filled with bubbles, big helicopters, face painting, and free books and toys at this year’s Riverfront Family Fest at Riverfront Park held Saturday, Aug. 5.
Family Building Blocks orchestrates this free event for over 4,000 parents and children each year. With a range of family-friendly activities, the park was filled with families enjoying all kind of activities ranging from trying on real life fire gear, learning about proper tooth care, staying away from downed electrical wires, and learning about commonly seen insects.
There were plenty of bubble machines and food trucks, and also the crew from Starbucks Snack Shack was on hand to hand out goodie bags and water to the crowd. Thanks to the United Way of Mid-Willamette Valley, the crew from Good360 was there to hand out 3,000 toys and books that were donated from Scholastic.
Entertainment was provided by the Lotus Dance Academy, who provided a variety of dance routines to entertain the crowd. There were also plenty of booths to pick up dental kits, school supplies, clothing vouchers, and information on family planning and food vouchers.
One of the main highlights was the landing of the U.S. Army helicopter right in the park in front of the admiring crowd. After the landing, everyone was welcome to sit in the cockpit and climb inside the bay.
Over 4,000 families attended this year’s Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)When entering the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023, attendees were greeted by Family Building Blocks staff and were given a bag filled with vouchers for a free book, a free toy, and a voucher for a snack for the Starbucks Snack Shack. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A happy recipient of face painting art shows off the final product at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Bubbles were the thing for this attendee at Riverfront Family fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A future firefighter sits in the front of the engine at the Riverfront Family fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)These attendees were learning where the lungs are located in their bodies at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A recipient of face painting art at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The snack bags from the Starbucks Snack Shack were a hot item this year at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)There was a little apprehension when the helicopter first landed as the crowd did not expect the wind shear strength and the noise from the landing at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The eager crowd waits for the flight crew to disembark so that they can check out the helicopter at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)There was a little apprehension when the helicopter first landed as the crowd did not expect the wind shear strength and the noise from the landing at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Kids really enjoyed sitting inside the helicopter after it landed at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Not everybody has a mom that arrives by helicopter. Seargeant Kezia Chaney gives her daughter Stella a hug after she secures the bird at the Riverfront Family fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Kids really enjoyed sitting inside the helicopter after it landed at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A recipient of face painting art at the Riverfront Family Fest shows off the final product on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)There was a little apprehension when spinning the wheel to win a prize at one of the booths at the Riverfront Family fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Teeth friendly lollipops were handed out by the dental care booth at the Riverfront Family Fest on `August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Lotus Dance Academy dancers entertain the crowd at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Lotus Dance Academy dancers entertain the crowd at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Getting inside the fire engine at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The selection was a flotation device and a book for this recipient at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Picking out the one perfect toy at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Maggy Johnston helps a family select a special toy as they move through the line at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Penelope Perales is ready to fly the helicopter at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The firefighter’s axe was a little heavier than this attendee expected at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A family waits in line to get a free book and a toy at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A helping hand was needed from a firefighter so this smaller attendee could hold the axe at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The firefighter’s mascot meets an attendee at the Riverfront Family Fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A future firefighter sits in the front of the engine at the Riverfront Family fest on August 5, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
