Carson, CA — Stevenson Park is set to become one of Carson’s biggest gathering places this weekend as the City of Carson welcomes families for Fam Fest, a free community celebration bringing residents together for an afternoon of music, entertainment, food, resources and activities for all ages.

Fam Fest will take place Saturday, August 22, beginning at noon at Stevenson Park, located at 17400 Lysander Drive.

The community celebration offers Carson residents an opportunity to enjoy one of the city’s neighborhood parks while connecting with families, local organizations, businesses and community leaders.

Throughout the day, families can expect live entertainment, recreational activities, activities for children, vendors, food and opportunities to learn more about services and organizations serving the Carson community.

For Councilmember Jawane Hilton, Fam Fest is about much more than entertainment. It is an opportunity to strengthen the relationships that make Carson feel like home.

“Carson is at its best when our families can come together, enjoy one another and experience the sense of community that makes our city special,” Hilton shared. “Fam Fest gives us another opportunity to create those connections while making sure our residents know about the programs, resources and people who are here to serve them.”

A major focus of Fam Fest is creating an experience where children and families can enjoy their city together. For Hilton, providing those opportunities is an important investment in Carson’s future.

“When we invest in experiences for our young people and create places where families feel welcome, we are investing in Carson’s future,” Hilton said. “These are the moments when neighbors meet neighbors, families build relationships and our children get to see what community really looks like.”

For parents, Fam Fest also offers an affordable way to enjoy a day out with their children as summer begins winding down and families settle into the new school year.

For young people, the event transforms Stevenson Park into a space for recreation, entertainment and community engagement close to home.

Fam Fest also creates an opportunity for residents to discover organizations, businesses and resources they may not encounter during their normal routines.

Vendor booths and community partners can turn a family outing into an informal community resource fair, allowing attendees to learn more about programs, services and opportunities available throughout Carson.

Among the organizations greeting residents Saturday will be The Carson Compass, Carson’s community newspaper.

Attendees are encouraged to stop by The Carson Compass booth to meet members of the publication’s team, pick up a copy of the newspaper, learn more about its local coverage and share story ideas about the people, businesses, neighborhoods and organizations they believe deserve greater attention.

The Compass will also use the event as an opportunity to hear directly from residents about the issues and stories that matter most to them.

For a newspaper built specifically around Carson, those conversations are an important part of determining what gets covered in the weeks and months ahead.

Fam Fest fits into a larger calendar of community-centered events taking place throughout Carson, from concerts and cultural celebrations to youth programs, resource fairs and neighborhood activities.

Those events provide entertainment, but they can also strengthen relationships between residents and the institutions that serve them.

That sense of connection is ultimately what Hilton hopes residents will carry with them long after Fam Fest is over.

“At the end of the day, we want Carson residents to feel connected to their city and connected to one another,” Hilton said. “Whether someone comes for the music, the food, the activities, the resources or simply to spend time with their family, we want them to leave knowing that Carson is a community where they are valued, welcomed and where they belong.”

A family may arrive for the entertainment and leave knowing about a recreation program, youth opportunity, community organization or local business they had never encountered before.

A resident may meet a city leader for the first time.

Neighbors who normally pass each other may finally have an opportunity to meet.

And families from different areas of Carson can enjoy the same community space together.

For Hilton, that vision also reflects a broader view of public service. Building a strong city is not limited to decisions made inside City Hall. It also means creating opportunities for residents to experience community, build relationships and make memories together.

“Fam Fest represents the kind of Carson we continue working to build,” Hilton said. “A city that is family-centered, community-driven and committed to making sure every generation has an opportunity to thrive.”

As Carson continues investing in programming for families and young people, events such as Fam Fest demonstrate how the city’s parks can serve as more than recreational facilities. They can become gathering places where community relationships are formed and strengthened.

Saturday’s Fam Fest gives residents one more opportunity to enjoy summer together while celebrating the families, organizations and community spirit that help define Carson.

And while you’re there, be sure to stop by The Carson Compass booth, say hello and tell us what’s happening in your corner of Carson.