The East Petersburg Events Committee hosts free, family-friendly community events throughout the year, with the goal of bringing neighbors together and creating welcoming traditions for all ages.

Everyone who lives in the borough and beyond is invited to the biggest community event of the year, East Petersburg Days, which will begin Wednesday, Sept. 16. The celebration will culminate with a full slate of events on Saturday, Sept. 19, including a 5K and kids' fun run, a parade, a carnival and fireworks.

"East Petersburg is a small, tight-knit community," events committee chair Kristin Troop said. "You can walk down the street and see a neighbor, and you can walk to the park. It feels like home. We try to make each of our events an extension of East Petersburg."

From Wednesday to Saturday, community members can enjoy nightly carnival rides, games and entertainment from 5 to 9 p.m. at East Petersburg Community Park, 2575 Graystone Road. Discounted unlimited ride wristbands are available for purchase online in advance.

Each evening will feature live music, including classic rock cover band Vinyl Ventures from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday and the Big Big Jazz Band from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday. Friday's festivities will include opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. and a whoopie pie eating contest at 6:15 p.m. Classic rock/pop band Kracker Beez will perform 6:15 to 8:15 p.m., followed by an outdoor showing of the movie "GOAT" at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday's activities will begin with a kids' fun run at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 5K race at 9 a.m. New this year, the races will support the Joy Among Mourning (JAM) Foundation, a local nonprofit organization established in memory of Hempfield High School graduate Andrew Wagner. Proceeds will fund student scholarships at Hempfield.

In-person race registration will be available from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday and beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday. Prize money will be awarded to the top three overall male and female runners, with medals given to the top three runners in each gender age group.

The annual East Petersburg Days Parade, presented by the East Petersburg-Landisville Lions Club, will follow at 10 a.m., featuring local businesses, community groups, antique cars and more.

"We try to offer many different activities throughout the event so that there is something for everyone," Troop said. "It's really about bringing people together."

On Saturday, rides and carnival activities will open at 4 p.m. The East Petersburg Fire Company will present a golf ball drop at 6 p.m., with the closest ball to the "pin" winning a $500 prize. In a new spin this year, the fire company will then drop a bucket full of free candy for the young people in the crowd. PopScotch will perform pop, rock and funk dance hits from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A fireworks show will wrap up the day's fun at 9:30 p.m.

Community events like East Petersburg Days are made possible by the generosity of sponsors like Lancaster Toyota, S. Clyde Weaver, Dinse Dental Care and State Farm agent Aubrey Montgomery, Troop said. The events committee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated entirely by volunteers.

"Our community events rely on donations, local sponsors and residents who generously give their time to volunteer," she said. "Please reach out if you are able to share even an hour by lending a hand. We would love for you to join us!"

To purchase ride wristbands or golf ball drop tickets, register for races, sign up to volunteer or learn more, visit http://www.EastPetersburgDay.com.