By Lookout Staff

August 8, 2013 -- For the ninth year running, kids and police officers swarmed Pacific Park at the Pier to celebrate PALpalooza, the annual celebration put on by Santa Monica's Police Activities League (PAL).

The kids turned out in force on July 31 -- with more than 500 of them from more than seven different PAL chapters throughout California -- to ride the rides, play the games and eat the food at Santa Monica's world-famous Pier.

The PAL crowd poses for a group picture at the entrance of Pacific Park (photo by Sam Tello, courtesy of Pacific Park)

“PAL kids received a free, fun-filled back-to-school treat with the Pacific Park’s 12 exciting rides, 17 midway games,” Pacific Park officials said, “and a variety of food selections from the oceanfront food court including hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries and soft drinks and juice.”

Pacific Park, the two-acre amusement park on the Pier, donated all of the food, games and rides for the event, which, after nine years, is still going strong.

In fact, this year, saw more participants than in 2012, when about 350 kids joined in the celebration.

“The Santa Monica PAL is Pacific Park’s primary charitable organization on the Westside,” Park officials said.

PAL has chapters all over the state, from Imperial County to Tehama County. The organization, which seeks to mentor children through major transitions in their lives, offers events like the Life After High School conference, held at Fresno State University.

Life After High School specifically helps prepare students for the transition to college.

Each year has been a success so far, Park officials said. Next year, they hope, will be just as good or better.