Foam Fest makes a splash with thousands

By Lethbridge Herald on July 8, 2025.

ALEJANDRA NOAD
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Nicolas Sheran Park was an array of obstacles, mud and foam on Saturday for the second time as was the site of the 5K Foam Fest, a fun run with proceeds of the event going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Over the last 10 years, the 5K Foam Fest has raised over $4-million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

While it may have looked dreary on Saturday, once you stepped on the grounds of Nicholas Sheran Park, there was an electric feeling of all your childhood fantasies coming true as more than 3,000 people participated in the run.

Stephen Passero, operations manager for the 5K Foam Fest, says people have just as much fun, if not more, in the rain.

“People always make the most of it, it means more sogginess, more foam, easier on the slip and slides, they go faster down the Big Death Drop slide, so people still have the time of their life when they come to the 5K Foam Fest.”

With over 25 obstacles for participants to enjoy, including the largest inflatable waterslide and 2.5 million cubic feet of foam throughout the course, which spanned the entire park, there was no shortage of fun to be had. Putting on an event this size with multiple obstacles requires a dedicated team of workers and volunteers to keep things running smoothly and Passero says Lethbridge has always risen to the occasion.

“There’s just such a community spirit her and especially having the event here at Nicholas Sheran Park, it seems like everybody has something positive to say.

He adds that Nicholas Sheran is one of his favourite parks for the foam fest throughout the country.

It has not been confirmed whether the event will return here in 2026, but Passero says the last two years have been an outstanding success.