Festivals are returning to Lakemont Park for the first time since the park reopened following renovations completed in 2019.

Summer Fest on the Lake, which begins Friday and runs through Sunday, will be similar to previous events, such as the Keystone Country Festival and the Altoona First Festival, but with a little bit of a variation, according to Melanie Shildt, general manager of the park.

“We are happy to bring this type of event back to the community, but with a little bit of a different twist than the previously held festivals,” she said.

Each of the three days will feature live entertainment, including multiple daily performances by the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show with log rolling, saw racing, crosscut sawing, chainsaw carving and more.

Friday will feature live music by The Jaded Lips, a three man band from Altoona, who play a blend of homegrown rock and soul.

“We always look forward to any event that shines a light on local vendors, artists, businesses and in our case, a local original band,” said Hunter Karns of The Jaded Lips. “There’s a lot of talent that goes unnoticed.”

Saturday will feature a full day of High Country Toast and Jam, a bluegrass/newgrass music concept featuring local performers Coltt Winter Lepley, Chris Strait, Canoe Ridge, Mama Corn and Joe Hodges of Nashville.

Fireworks will follow at 10 p.m.

Sunday features performances by a variety of local groups.

In addition to entertainment, the festival will host artisan craft vendors with items ranging from soaps, jewelry and primitive decor to wreaths, wood crafts and holiday and pet items. Food booths include Snyder’s Concessions, Shuman’s Concessions, The Rotating Chef, Nuts for You, Precious Life and Lakemont Park concessions.

The C2 Trolley House Bar and Grill will be open for beer, wine and liquor sales and there will also be two other beer tents with a variety of offerings.

To purchase adult beverages, festivalgoers will be required to show a valid photo ID and maintain an Over 21 wristband in addition to their admission wristband. Beer tents will be cash only. In addition, all adult beverages must stay within the fenced area, in which all primary entertainment and a large number of vendors will be located.

Carnival games, horse-drawn carriage rides and the park’s attractions will also be available during the weekend festival.

“We have a very generous community member who is donating the horse-drawn carriage rides,” Shildt added.

Festival entry is $10 per person, with children 5 and younger admitted free of charge. All park attractions, except the batting cages, are included in the entrance fee.

Summer Fest on the Lake will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Those attending will enter the park at the main gates and gift shop in the front plaza. Free parking is available at The Village and on all three levels of the Altoona Curve parking garage.

For the full festival schedule, visit the Lakemont Park Facebook page or website at lakemontparkfun.com.

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