An Ames tradition returns to Campustown this Saturday, bringing with it a variety of activities and musical acts.

The ninth annual Summerfest will take place from 3 to 9 p.m Saturday on the 200 block of Welch Avenue. The event is free to the public and will include family friendly activities including henna tattoos, face painting, balloons and a petting zoo. Musical acts by Courtney Krause and Burning Sensations will take place in the root beer garden near Welch Ave. Station.

Karin Chitty has been the director of the Campustown Action Association (CAA) for three years. The goal of Summerfest, she said, is to bring a different crowd of people to Campustown that wouldn’t otherwise visit the bar-centric street.

“Summerfest is kind of like an open house for people in the community to meet and visit with businesses in the district,” Chitty said. “It attracts people who wouldn’t usually visit Campustown very often. The businesses in the district also get a chance to publicize what they do and interact with new people. It just brings a different crowd to the area.”

Xena Jolly, the president of the community outreach committee for the Campus Action Association, said Summerfest aims to bring a positive outlook of Campustown and help the local businesses around the area. 

“Just to experience what they have to offer and maybe that one face-to-face meeting is going to bring you back to Campustown … We want to be a positive, because there is so much to offer down here,” Jolly said. 

Courtney Krause will play her combination of rock, blues and folk from 3-6 p.m. while Burning Sensations will rock out from 6-9 p.m.

This “cutest dog contest” is back by popular demand this year. Owners of  can register their dogs for free from 3-5 p.m., and the showing will begin at 6 p.m. Dogs will be separated into four categories by weight: puppies less than one year old, small (24 lbs. or less), medium (24 lbs. – 50 lbs.) and large (over 50 lbs.)

There will also be a beer garden during the event, which will include a variety of craft beer. All drinks will cost $5. Craft beers from Exile Brewing Company, Torrent Brewing Company and Dogfish Head Brewing are available for purchase from the beer garden. Light beers such as Coors Light and Bud Light will also be sold. For anyone under the drinking age, a root beer garden will also be available. Parking for the event will be available at the Ames Intermodal Facility.

The event is funded through donations from CAA members as well as sponsors. Sponsors for the event include Dogtown University, Barefoot Campus Outfitters, Pizza Pit Extreme and First National Bank.