Tower Fest to be held Saturday in Brockton park

If you want to see a great vista of Brockton, head to Tower Hill on Saturday.

But don't forget your sneakers.

The fourth annual Tower Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday at Tower Hill, D.W. Field Park, Oak Street.

The festival, organized by the nonprofit D.W. Field Park Association, is free and open to the public. Activities include free pony rides, face painting, pumpkin painting and crafts.

"The purpose of the event is to celebrate the beauty of the park, the generosity of D.W. Field who gave us the park and to make people aware of what a great resource it is," said Pat Houle, president of the D.W. Field Park Association.

The Memorial Tower, built in 1925 to honor local men and women who served in World War I, will also be open Saturday. Participants will be able to climb to the top of the 65-foot tower, which has about 100 steps, Houle said.

"It's fabulous. It really is," Houle said about the view.

Zappy the Clown will make an appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From noon to 1 p.m., Marla Isaac of Taunton, owner of New England Reptile and Raptor Exhibits, will conduct a reptile show that will include tortoises and lizards, Houle said.

From 1-2:30 p.m., the Cosmo Legion Band will perform.

At 2:30 p.m., Isaac will conduct a birds of prey show that will include hawks and falcons.

A balloon artist will be on hand from 1-3 p.m. to make animal balloon shapes for children.

An artist will be on hand to sketch portraits for a small fee, Houle said.

Hot dogs, hamburgers and Italian sausages will be among foods available for purchase. Beverages for sale will include hot cider and hot cocoa. A bake sale and raffle will also be held. Prizes will include restaurant and supermarket gift certificates.

The Brockton Police Identity Unit will also attend to conduct child fingerprinting.

Maria Papadopoulos of The Enterprise (Brockton, Mass.) can be reached at mpapadopoulos@enterprisenews.com.