After last year's hiatus, East Petersburg Days and Carnival will return to the East Petersburg Civic Grounds and Community Park, 6051 Pine St., East Petersburg, from Thursday, Sept. 16, to Saturday, Sept. 18.

"Last year was such a challenging year for so many different reasons, and ... we really hope people can come out, enjoy East Pete Day, and find more opportunities for cheer, happiness, and joy," said Kristin Troops, president of the East Petersburg Events Committee. "That's what it's really all about - creating family events for people to feel safe and comfortable."

The 26th annual festivities will kick off on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. with wristband night. There will be games, carnival rides, a DJ, and the following food trucks: Stir It Up Steph, Dough Heads Waffles, and Savoy Truffle Cakes.

The fun will return at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, when the park opens. The Big Big Jazz Band will perform at 6 p.m., and that evening's food trucks will include Buckwalter's Smoke Haus, Savoy Truffle Cakes, and possibly one or two more.

On Saturday, expected to be the busiest day of the event, the activities will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a free Kids Fun Run and a "Totally 80's" 5K at 9 a.m. An awards ceremony will immediately follow. At 10 a.m., there will be a parade, and the park will open at 11 a.m. with a ceremony and invocation from Mayor James Andrew Malone. There will be a DJ, a juggler, a hula hoop contest, a whoopie pie eating contest, and a performance from Pulse Dance Studio. Saturday's food trucks will be Shorty's Funnel Cakes, Dutch Country Concessions, Savoy Truffle Cakes, Buckwalter's Smoke Haus, and Simply Greek. Raven Ridge Wildlife Center and Eastland Alpacas will make an appearance, and the bands When Less Is More and Pocketful O' Soul will take the stage and provide live music. The evening will close with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

Troops noted that all of the sponsors have been supportive both emotionally and financially. She said she is most looking forward to the community enjoying the day together, smiling, laughing, and having fun. "People should come and take the opportunity to make memories with their friends and family," stated Troops. "East Pete is a great community. It's tiny and mighty."

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3h23aSr.