Fun Run Marks Start of Packed City Event Schedule

On Feb. 11, the City of Fountain Valley will hit the ground running with its full schedule of city-sponsored events when it hosts the Anytime Fitness 5K Fun Run at Mile Square Park.

It's fitting the the city's jam-packed year-long schedule of events should start with a distance running event. Once it starts, it's a steady trot of fun for the whole family the rest of the year, continuing in April with the Easter egg hunt, and going all the way through December's tree lighting.

"These events are important for Fountain Valley because they continue to promote community and sense of place for our residents and local businesses," Community Services Manager Mark Nix said." They also provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together. It isn’t rare to see three or four generations enjoying one of our activities in the park. Whether it’s an intimate movie or concert in the park, or an adrenalin rush at Fountain Valley Summerfest, we provide something for everyone. In the end, it’s the memories we create at these events that make it all worthwhile."

But it's not all fun and games. It takes plenty of help from Fountain Valley's local businesses to make sure the city's events go off without a hitch—and to help keep them almost completely free to the public. In turn, Nix said, those businesses get a chance to meet their customers and create a larger overall sense of communuity.

"We put on quality events that provide unique experiences for our residents," Nix said. "We also provide an opportunity for our local business community to meet face to face with our residents at these events. It’s a win-win-win. The businesses win by gaining exposure within the community and increasing  business, the residents win by learning about new services and shopping opportunities available to them in town, and the city wins by obtaining sponsorship dollars to offset the costs of the event and increased sales tax."

Plenty of local businesses ar taking advantage and making the investment in Fountain Valley, including Fountain Valley Bodyworks, which recently committed $10,000, and Indpendence Bank.

"We don’t necessarily do it for a personal benefit," said Jeanne Hexem-Thomas, first vice president of Independence Bank. "It’s our belief that we give back to the communities of which we do business as a thank-you gesture. It does bring light to our beliefs about helping those in need, serving our surrounding communities and giving back. Our thank you comes from people coming in to open accounts or doing businesses with a business who thinks like we do. They appreciate that we give of our time and finances in helping others."