A fun Father’s Day test

Huntington Beach is throwing a festival for fathers, and the Laker Girls are invited.

It’s all part of the city’s continued effort to determine if downtown special-event street closures are feasible for merchants, said Connie Pedenko, executive director for the downtown merchants assn.

A first-time event in Huntington Beach, Surf City Fest Father’s Day weekend will include a 20-foot putting contest open to all ages, and a vintage car and Harley Davidson show.

The Laker Girls are scheduled to drop by the Energy Drink booth in front of Smoken Moes from 2 to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, and the Westminster High School Flag Core will also perform.

About 40 exhibitors will line Main Street between Pacific Coast Highway and Orange Avenue, along with a host of businesses and entertainers. Outdoor dining along Main Street will be also be available to attendees.

Pedenko said the merchants were asked to come out and exhibit their products and services as part of a test program for the city, so collaboration between the city and the business improvement district is a “win-win.”

Most of the entertainers have played previously at Surf City nights, said Stephen Bradford, the festival’s entertainment coordinator, who added they are volunteers recruited from a street performer program in Santa Monica.

Approximately 25 performers are scheduled from noon to 9 or 10 p.m. The Ken Oak Band is the headline act.