The Under the Sea Adventures Festival took over the Hy-Vee lot at 151st Street on the last Saturday in July. Kids showed up in swimsuits, which turned out to be the correct call — the foam dance party ran from noon to one and the water bounce house never had a short line.

Between the inflatables there were face painters, a balloon artist, giant bubble stations, snow cones, games and prizes, and eleven local business booths set up around the perimeter — some there to say hello, some selling bread, desserts and handmade goods. Cowboy Certified brought a toilet and parked it in the foam, which we are still thinking about.

Getting in was free, and so were the activities — the foam, the inflatables, the games, the face painting. Food and anything from the vendor booths was yours to buy if you wanted it, which is rather the point: the local businesses who show up should go home having sold something. Admission stays free because the partners listed below cover the cost of the day.