Photos: The Laguna Beach Parents Club Parties in the Park

Giggling kids ran around, parents chatted and enjoyed tacos, and a good time was had by almost 200 attendees at the Laguna Beach Parents Club's annual Evening at the Park Friday in .

"We have mom’s night out once a month, with cocktails," says LBPC co-president Stephanie Quarles, who moved to Laguna Beach over a year ago. "The dads watch the kids. That’s one of my favorite things. We’re doing a Duffy boat ride where we all rent a couple of Duffys and go out with wine and cheese. It’s a more modern take on a parents club, where there’s more fun stuff for the adults, too. If I walk into a grocery store or go to a park, I see people that I know because you just meet so many people in this club. You really feel a sense of community."

CLICK THE PHOTO BOX ON THE RIGHT TO VIEW A SLIDESHOW FROM THE PARENTS CLUB EVENT --->

According to Quarles, members pay $40 a year to join the LBPC. Local businesses pay to be in the club newsletter. Their sponsorship helps offset the cost of some activities.

Karly Simpson and her daughter, Rose Simpson, attended the summer party.

"The club is a great way to meet friends for the kids," said Karly Simpson. "There are resources for parents and events like this ... a barbeque ... play groups for the kids. There are classified ads [in the club newsletter] to help you find whatever you need."

Meldie Moore joined the LBPC when her 2-year-old son Liam was born.

"I joined when he was a newborn," says Moore, "so I could get out and meet other moms who had babies. They have play groups, a book club and tons of good advice. They have annual events and moms night out. They have a great tip line for when people ask, 'Who’s a good pediatrician? Who’s a good pediatric dentist?' or if someone needs a babysitter. And then other parents answer, so it's just a great resource."

Ajay and Andrea Lalvani brought their two daughters Alia and Amelie to the party.

"[This club] is a way for really busy people to find time to meet each other and interact," says Andrea Lalvani. "I think when you become a parent, you’re a little shocked about how busy your life is. And here you meet the same kind of people. You’re empathetic to everybody’s lives. It's a really good thing to meet people around you who have kids and are in your same situation."

The next scheduled event for the Laguna Beach Parents Club will be the Mom's Night Out Duffy Boat Ride on August 24 from 6-9 p.m. in Newport Harbor. Click on this link for more info.