Annual PALpalooza provides a back-to-school treat for kids

8/7/17: Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier hosted the 13th Annual PALpalooza on Tuesday, July 25 from 5-9 p.m.

The Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) and more than 18 California Police Activities League (CAL-PAL) chapters, from Santa Barbara to Victorville, received a free, fun-filled back-to-school treat.

PALpalooza had its largest attendance with more than 900 kids enjoying Pacific Park's exciting rides, midway games and a food selection from the Park's oceanfront food court. Santa Monica PAL is Pacific Park's primary charitable organization on the Westside. The two-acre amusement park donated all food, drinks, games and rides for PALpalooza.

"PALpalooza has special meaning for Pacific Park's employees," said Jeff Klocke, Vice President and General Manager at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. "Over the last 13 years they have enjoyed the opportunity to provide thousands of kids with a back-to-school treat including rides, games and great fun at the beach."

"The PAL kids love to come to Pacific Park and enjoy the rides and games before heading back to school each year," says Eula Fritz, director of the Santa Monica Police Activities League. "We had another record turnout, which speaks to the popularity of Pacific Park and the fun the kids have when they visit the amusement park. We are grateful to Pacific Park and their ongoing commitment to the PAL organization and all of the kids."

About Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL)

Santa Monica PAL is a City of Santa Monica-operated nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe and supervised place for young people ages 6 through 17. PAL teaches skills, promotes self-respect and respect for others, and helps kids reach out to their peers and to adults. PAL provides free academic and cultural programs and a wide variety of recreational activities. Each year hundreds of youth learn to work and play in groups, with individual attention available whenever it is needed. The Santa Monica PAL Youth Center is located at 1401 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404. For additional information or to donate, please call 310-458-8988 or visit http://www.smpal.org.

About CAL-PAL

CAL-PAL's primary goal is to assist police and sheriff departments in establishing and developing PAL chapters in every community in California; thereby ensuring that all California youth have the opportunity to participate in California PAL programs. CAL-PAL is California's largest juvenile crime prevention program with an active participation of over 300,000 youth.

About Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, LA's only admission free amusement park, offers 12 amusement rides, 14 midway games, an oceanfront food plaza and beachside retail shops. Signature rides include the Pacific Wheel, the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel; The West Coaster, a steel roller coaster that races 55 feet above the Santa Monica Bay; and Inkie's Air Lift Balloon Ride, the high-flying, family-share kids ride. For additional information and hours of operation, call 310-260-8744, visit http://www.pacpark.com, follow on Twitter: @pacpark and Facebook: facebook.com/pacificpark.