Secret City Festival begins today

The Secret City Festival begins today at 11:30 a.m. and goes through 7 p.m. Saturday at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

It features children’s activities, a youth area, music, food, history exhibits, bus tours, arts and crafts, and a World War II re-enactment.

For the kids, there will be inflatable games, bumper cars, and returning this year, Little Trains. For the older kids, there will be a children’s craft area, a rock climbing wall, and a giant fire truck slide.

The Oak Ridge Fire Department will also have a zip line again this year.

The Children’s area is located in A.K. Bissell Park behind and beside the Civic Center. The main youth and teen area is located in the field behind the American Museum of Science and Energy.

The youth area will also host a BMX Bicycle Stunt Show Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

A BMX bike will be given away at the 3 p.m. show. Participants for the drawing must be 18 or older to register and must be present to win. Parents can also register their child for the bike giveaway.

There is a new event this year called the “Kids City Circuit-A Playful City USA event.” Participants must collect one bracelet from five designated children’s area activities. When all colored bracelets have been collected, participants go to the Playful City registration tent in the children’s area, where they will register and redeem the bracelets for one free admission to the Municipal Outdoor Pool.

Nancy Brennan Strange will be storytelling, Michael Messing will be performing a magic and illusions show, and the Tennessee Parks Department will host an animal show. All of these performances can be seen at the Children’s Stage on the pool patio Saturday morning and afternoon.

For the adults, there will be arts and crafts for sale, an art show, World War II re-enactments and Oak Ridge history exhibits. There will also be Manhattan Project site tours leaving from the American Museum of Science and Energy.

A1A, the original and official Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band, will perform on Friday night and will feature all of Jimmy Buffett’s hits along with classic reggae and beach party music. Dave Landeo will open for the band.

38 Special will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday. Mic Harrison and the High Score will serve as the opening act.

Tickets for the festival concerts are $20 and are still on sale. Tickets may be purchased online at www.secretcityfestival.com, by phone at (865) 482-4432, or in person at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

Secret City Festival T-shirts may also be purchased to commemorate the event’s 10th anniversary.

The Civic Center is located at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.