Happy Face Music Festival Takes Local Community Entertainment To A Whole New Level
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) – The Happy Face Music Festival, held on Saturday, May 25th, transformed Rancho Santa Susana Community Park into a star-studded celebration of music, love, and joy. Presented by The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, this year’s festival embraced the theme “American Love, British Beats,” drawing an enthusiastic crowd from all over Southern California.
Eager festival-goers began forming long lines hours before the gates were scheduled to open, a testament to the excitement and anticipation surrounding this year’s event. It was a beautiful sunny and clear Simi Valley day, with temperatures in the low to mid-70s, making it the perfect afternoon for a music festival.
Dorina Timbol welcomed the crowd and was humorously interrupted by a hilarious and entertaining routine starring Austin Powers, setting the tone for a day filled with fun and surprises.
The event kicked off with a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women in uniform, featuring a color guard salute followed by the national anthem played on a French horn.
The musical lineup did not disappoint. Jumping Jack Flash electrified the crowd with their homage to The Rolling Stones. Led Zep-Again kept the energy high with their tribute to Led Zeppelin. Kenny Metcalf as Elton John dazzled with his energetic performance. The festival closed with Britain’s Finest, captivating the audience with their spot-on renditions of The Beatles’ hits.
The festival was not just about music. Music fans enjoyed a variety of food options from local vendors, indulging in everything from gourmet burgers to ice cream to, of course, beer. The grounds were dotted with booths offering affordably-priced festival merchandise, interactive activities for children, an RC race car exhibit, a miniature golf course, and beautifully constructed art and photo booth installations, all adding to the festive and colorful atmosphere.
At one point, the crowd was invited to participate in a commercial being filmed for the upcoming Simi Valley Oktoberfest, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day. Emily Cloke, the British Consul General in Los Angeles, made a special appearance, underscoring the international spirit of the festival.
One of the main highlights of the day was the feeling of community spirit that permeated the event. Families, friends, and neighbors came together, sharing smiles, laughter, and creating lasting memories. The park was alive with the sounds of happy chatter, children playing, and, of course, great music.
A very special celebrity guest, Mr. Bob Eubanks, took the stage briefly. Known for presenting The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl in 1964, Eubanks shared a bit of music history, delighting the crowd with his presence.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and the positive energy everyone brought to the Happy Face Music Festival,” said Eric Kaufman, the 2024 Festival Chair. “Seeing so many happy faces and hearing how much fun everyone had makes all the hard work worth it.”
Also noted, Happy Face is a charity fundraiser, organized to benefit a variety of local and international causes. All of the work required to pull off such a grand event is performed by community volunteers and paid for by local sponsors such as Adventist Health Simi Valley and Visit Simi Valley, the central hub for travel and tourism in the city.
As the sun set and the final notes of Britain’s Finest’s performance echoed through the park, festival-goers left with happy hearts and unforgettable memories. The Happy Face Music Festival once again proved to be a highlight of the Simi Valley community calendar, bringing joy and unity through the universal language of music.
For those who attended, the festival was a much-needed day of happiness and connection. And for those who missed it, there’s always next year to look forward to.
What an outstanding job Simi Sunrise Rotary Club did again! Putting such an event as a non profit , ran by nothing but super star volunteers! It was one of the best events and Named after our iconic Happy Face Hill that you see as you enter Simi Valley from the south side , The Happy Face Music Festival brought so many smiley faces. Kids had a blast at the Happy Cash Booth . Cashing out the happy cash dollars for cool tricks! Adults enjoyed so many great things . Beers was nice and cold and so many delicious food were sold including the Ys men Tri-Tip , and Erik Ice cream . The bands made people sing anlong and dance and clap… and event Austin Power stopped by!!! thanks to all who supported this amazing nonprofit organization. If you want to know more about the Simi sunrise rotary club, we would love to have you for breakfast one of those Thursday