"We've done this every year since we've opened and we usually do it at the end of July," Jennings said. "It's just an event of games and music and ... kind of a fun time out at the pool." 

During the event, kids participated in games, contests and relay races as a local DJ played music.

Jennings said this is a way for the staff at the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center to thank everyone that uses the facility during the summer. 

"Typically when you come to the pool, you're hanging out with your friends and you're having fun, but today we play music, we have games ... (and) we'll do giveaways," Jennings said. 

Halfway through the celebration, East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett came for the cake-cutting ceremony where he talked about the history of the facility.

Recent East Lansing High School graduate Abby Pendred has been a slide operator at the Aquatic Center for more than two months. In addition to operating the water slide, Pendred gives wrist bands to people as they come into the park. 

Pendred's favorite part about working at the Aquatic Center is working with other staff members and interacting with families.

"As far as I know, I'll be working the slides," Pendred said. "Unless I'm called down to help run a game."

Pendred said she was looking forward to a fun day at work.

"We're going to have a DJ here, so it's going to be like a big party," Pendred said. 

East Lansing resident Andy Pavona took his three kids and their three friends to the Aquatic Center for the afternoon.

"If I get a free day, I'll take them down here," he said. 

Pavona and the kids were unaware of the Summer Splash event that was to take place that day.

"The (Summer) Splash event will be a surprise for them," Pavona said.