The following press release courtesy the Lodi-Tokay Rotary:                                            

Media Release:

For more information contact Steve Whyte at 209-368-4626 or via e-mail at steve@win4usa.com

What:

11^th Annual Oooh Ahhh Festival

Owner of the Event:

          Lodi Tokay Rotary Club

When:

July 4, 2004

Where:

Lodi Lake Park, Lodi, CA, Turner Road, 3 miles west of Hwy 99 and 6 miles east of I-5

Attendance:

10,000 plus

Cost:        

General Admission - $5

            Kids 6 and under free

Gates:

          Open at 8:00am

            Gates close at 9:10pm just before the start of the fireworks show.

            Event is over at 10:00pm

What To Do For FREE:

          Giant Kids Zone with bounces, rides, games and activities

            Boat Rentals

            Beach Access

            Pool

            Lake Swimming

            Entertainment

            Balloon Artists

            Face Painters

            Aerial Fireworks Show with musical sound track 9:20pm

            Frisbee Dog Exhibition at 11:30am

Other stuff to do:

          BURGER KING Barbecue Cook-Off Competition at 12 noon

            KJOY Milk Carton Regatta from 1pm to 3pm

KWIN Battle of the Bands from 10am to 5pm

            National Anthem Audition to be sung by Lodi’s own April Morse at 9:15pm

Firecracker Barbecue 5pm to 8pm: 18 & over $15; 10-17 $8; 6-9 $5; 5 and under Free

Parking:

          $5 to park in the 13-acre lot on the west side of Lodi Lake Park.  With each paid parking you will receive a FREE carwash courtesy of the nice folks at PRIME SHINE EXPRESS WASH N’ LUBE.  Handicap parking is available on Turner Road in front of the park

Fusion Skydiving Exhibition:

          They have appeared on ESPN, X-Games, too many television shows to mention and events all around the United States.  Led by team owner Robert Weltz, this team of 4 skydivers will take over the youth area.  Spectators are encouraged to visit the team in between their jumps, which will be done from a helicopter.  Leaving from Lodi Lake Park to the time they reach the necessary altitude will require only 10 minutes instead of an hour if they flew from the airport in a plane.  Mr. Weltz and his team will be skydiving into Lodi Lake with Red White and Blue smoke trailing off their legs.  And if the crowd is excited enough, they will even attempt landing in the back of an Air Natique competition ski boat traveling at close to 40 mph.  Fusion Skydiving team members will on hand to sign autographs and to talk to the public about what they do.  To reach Robert Weltz, for more information call him at (925) 383-5390.  Planned exhibition sky jumps are planned at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.  This is the first time this level of extreme sports has ever been performed in Lodi.  This is a must see.

Food, Drink, and Merchandise:

          Food vendors, merchandise and crafts

            Beverages for sale (soda, water, lemonade, ice tea, punch, and Beer)

            -or- bring your own picnic basket

Shuttles:

            Shuttles are available to take you from the parking lot and back again.  The shuttles run from 8am to 8pm.  They will also take you on a ride around the lake – All FREE

Proceeds:

Proceeds of the event benefit a wide variety of non-profit organizations.  Many people from local charities help in the event operations and raise money through the time their members spend working at the event.  Other charities receive grants from Lodi Tokay Rotary Club during the course of the year.  Last year some of the money raised went to pay for trees that the club planted on South Ham Lane in Lodi.

Security & Medical Emergencies:

            For the safety of everyone, the Lodi Police Department will provide security during the event and American Medical Response will provide paramedics on bicycles to assist in the event of injuries.  The Lodi Fire Department will be providing medical assistance and fire safety as well.  All items guests want to bring into the event will be searched by our event security staff.

What Not To Bring:

          Barbecues, alcohol, fireworks, firecrackers, fishing equipment, skateboards, scooters, in-line skates, weapons, motorized vehicles, pets of any kind, bicycles.

What You Can Bring:

Picnic baskets, alcohol free beverages, use of park BBQ’s on a first come first serve basis, lawn chairs, kids wagons, stollers, blankets, towels, handicap assist dogs.

Turner Road to Close:

This year Turner Road will be completely closed from Mills Ave to Laurel Street during the hours of 6am to 11pm on the 4^th of July.  This will improve the level of safety in front of the park.  Detours will be set up to get around the closed section.  Handicap parking will be along either side of Turner in the closed section.  All that is needed is a handicap placard or license plate.

Shuttles will transport people from the parking lot to the main gate from 8am to 8:30pm

Those wishing to park in the 13-acre parking lot and receive your free car wash from Prime Shine Express Wash n’ Lube will need to enter the parking lot from Mills and Turner Road.