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The car-themed festival will kick off Friday July 18 at 5 p.m. with activities to keep area residents of all ages busy.

"I really like the festival because it is family oriented and very inexpensive," said Rod Swantek, president of Columbiaville Days.

Children can enjoy a petting zoo and pony rides from 5-8 p.m. as well as a free kids craft tent, inflatables and interactive games open from 5-9 p.m.

"We try to change things up every year," Swantek said. This year, the interactive games will include laser tag and a mechanical bull in an effort to also have more things geared toward the teenage population, said Swantek. There will also be a Teen Dance with disc jockey Rockstar Mandi from 9-11 p.m.

Also on Friday, is the Kids Kick Off Parade starting at 6 p.m. Any child wishing to participate is asked to lineup at the corner of Fourth and Pine Streets in front of the School Annex Building.

The day will end with a entertainment provided by R & R Double Take and Blue Collar Jones featuring Heather Reetz. The beverage tent will also be open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Shifting gears, the fun will continue on Saturday as a pancake breakfast will be served from 8-10 a.m. to start off the day's events.

The big attractions for Saturday are sure to be the Classic Car and Bike Show (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), the Car and Bike Poker Run (registration from 10-11 a.m., with the event going from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), the hour-long parade starting at noon and of course the fireworks which are set to begin at 10 p.m.

There is no RSVP necessary for those that wish to participate in the parade. For those wanting to be in the parade, lineup is at 11 a.m. and one must have the signed waiver of liability at this time (the waivers are available at www.columbiaville.org).

The parade route is as follows: Fifth Street to Central Street, Central Street to Water Street, and Water Street to Fifth Street.

On Sunday, a men's softball tournament will begin at 8 a.m. Other events slated for that day include Church in the Park, Burton Cloggers, a petting zoo, pony rides, Kids Olympics, horseshoes, euchre tournament, Craig Lang & Driven Christian Rock Band, a bean bag tournament, a frog jumping contest and children contests.

"I expect the turn out to be better this year due to fuel prices," Swantek said. "I think people will stay home and try and find local things to do, and I look forward to seeing everyone enjoy themselves."

For a complete list of the events, times and contacts, please visit the Village of Columbiaville Web site at www.columbiaville.org and click on the Columbiaville Days tab. For further information, call Rod Swantek at 614-0130.