Oak Knoll Park is the park I grew up next to, and the Community Festival is the one day a year the whole city ends up on that lawn at the same time.
It's this Saturday, September 26, from noon to 7pm. Admission is free. If you moved to Cypress in the last year and you've been wondering how to actually meet people here, this is the day.
The details
Saturday, September 26, noon to 7pm at Oak Knoll Park, Cypress, CA 90630. Free admission. Parking fills up fast on Orange Avenue, so if you're coming after 1pm, plan on walking a few blocks — most of the neighborhood does.
Official festival site →The chili and salsa cook-off
This is the main event. There's a blind judged competition and a public vote, so you get to taste and have an opinion. Come hungry and pace yourself — people underestimate how much chili is involved.
The classic car show
Cars are on the lawn and voting runs from noon to 2pm, so get there early if you want a say in it. This is the part my boys plant themselves in front of and don't move.
The kids area is free
Rock wall, bounce houses, an obstacle course, slides, a beach slide, cow milking, and toddler inflatables. All of it free. If you've got little ones, this is where your afternoon goes, and you can stop budgeting for wristbands.
Booths and vendors
Craft booths, local businesses, non-profits, and the city's information tables. It's a good afternoon for figuring out what's actually in Cypress — the youth sports leagues, the church groups, the service clubs. Most people find something they didn't know existed.
The rest of my Cypress list →The rest of the fall calendar
The festival is the biggest day, but it isn't the only one. The Cypress Run, the tree lighting, and the rest of the city calendar are worth knowing about ahead of time.
What's happening in Cypress this fall →I'll be there with the family. If you see me, come say hi — no pitch, I promise. And if you're thinking about buying or selling in Cypress this fall, this is honestly a better way to get a feel for the city than anything I could send you.