PELHAM – Families from near and far were at Pelham City Park on Saturday, May 18, for Palooza in the Park, the fifth installment of Pelham Palooza.

The free event featured fun for the whole family with a wide variety of crafts and food vendors, food trucks and a children’s area called Kidzapalooza.

For the first time this year, the event featured a juried arts and crafts show, and shortly after that there was a Zumba and Refit demonstration by instructors from the recreation center. Live music kicked off at noon with song selections from an ‘80s cover band, the M80s. The five-piece band performed musical selections until 3 p.m.

The children’s area included inflatables, balloon artists, face painting, carnival games, arts and crafts, bull riding, a bungee trampoline and hula hoopers and more.

Food trucks in attendance included City Bowls 2, El Taco Truck, Fryer Truck, Golden Rule BBQ, Hammer’s Hot Dogs and Who Dat Snoballs and more.

Columbiana resident Bridgett Stevenson said this year marked her and her family’s first year attending the event. She said she was looking for family-friendly events in the area and decided to give the event a try.

“The kids’ area is great,” she said. “So far they really love the bungee trampoline. It’s usually like $10 per child to do that, but here it’s free. With four kids, it’s difficult for my husband and I to be able to afford some events like this.”

Alabaster resident Christie Jones echoed Stevenson’s word.

“I love that this event is free,” Jones said. “So far we’re having a good time. My kids are really loving the inflatables and they got a chance to make some slime.”