By Sara Beth Williams–
Sunday Funday has officially been put on pause this year, according to both the City of Citrus Heights and the Sunrise Recreation and Park District.
The annual tradition has drawn thousands of people with fun, family-friendly activities at Rusch Community Park since Citrus Heights was incorporated in 1997. The community event is held every September and has continued uninterrupted, except for pauses during the COVID years, making it a longstanding community celebration for nearly three decades.
Tori Thorpe, recreation coordinator with the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, said during a recent interview that the park district is focusing its efforts on a large 75th anniversary celebration that will take place in October. Thorpe said, as the planning process began for the 75th anniversary last year, the city opted to pause the Sunday Funday and offered its support toward the 75th anniversary celebration instead of also putting on a Sunday Funday, because the dates would land so close together.
The city confirmed in a statement Thursday that due to the close proximity between when Sunday Funday typically takes place and the planned 75th anniversary, Sunday Funday will not take place in 2025. The city did not comment on whether the annual tradition will resume in 2026.
“In support of this special occasion, we’re encouraging our community to come out and enjoy the Jubilee, which promises to be a fantastic celebration for all ages. We’re excited to lift up our partners and spotlight this once-in-a-generation event,” the city said in an email Thursday.
The city still plans to host a fall event for residents, Citrus Heights Communication Officer Marisa Brown said, adding that more details will be announced on social media later on in the year.
Sunday Funday typically takes place on Sunday in the last weekend of September. Thorpe and the city both confirmed the park district’s 75th anniversary event is slated to take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, and will incorporate multiple family-friendly activities similar to Sunday Funday.
Thorpe said the event is also designed to draw in residents from across the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, which spans 27 square miles and maintains 488 acres of parks, 312 of which reside in Citrus Heights, according to the district and the city’s websites.
The 75th anniversary jubilee is being held in honor of the gifting of 15 acres of ranch land, donated by Fred and Julia Rusch in 1950, establishing the Sunrise Recreation and Park District. Today, Rusch Park is now the largest park in the district, at just over 48 acres, according to the district’s website.
