Cranberry Community Days, hosted by the Cranberry Township Community Chest, runs July 14 to 16 in Community Park. Butler Eagle file photo

The upcoming week in Cranberry will be packed with activity as the township gears up for the annual Cranberry Community Days summer event.

Taking place over a three-day period from July 14 to 16, the free festival, managed by the Cranberry Township Community Chest, will offer a plethora of events and attractions.

Cranberry Township Parks and Recreation Director Pete Geis said the township anticipates an even larger turnout than last year.

“It all is predicated on the weather — if we have good weather, and that changes every day, we expect anywhere between 20,000 to 30,000 people in three days,” Geis said.

Jayce McGowan and his grandfather, Pat Keeley, ride the tea cup swing ride at Cranberry Community Days in 2021. The township fair is July 14 to 16 in Community Park. Butler Eagle file photo

This year’s festival will feature more vendors than ever, said Audrey Rattay, community engagement specialist at Cranberry Township, who is one of the event’s main organizers.

“We have over 210 vendors this year. Last year, we had 94, and in 2019, we had 196,” she said. “It’s a mixture of food vendors, craft vendors, art, local businesses and sponsors. We’re doing things bigger and better than before COVID, with special events and music.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the renovation of the Kids Castle Playground. The renovations will include new playground apparatuses, a child-sized zipline, additional surface space, a grand entryway and child-friendly seating options. Parking for the event is free.

Drew Vlasnik of Cranberry Township looks for targets as he drives his bumper car during Community Days activities in Community Park in 2021. Butler Eagle file photo

Schedule of events

The week kicks off with the Martinis with Monet event, held by the Cranberry Artists Network and featuring drinks and live music from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 5:50 p.m. Thursday at the Rotary Ampitheater. The carnival and booths will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. and the annual Cruisin’ Cranberry Car Show will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Bands, This-That & The Other Thing and No Bad JuJu, will perform from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 to 9:45 p.m., respectively.

On Friday, booths will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. The Cranberry CUP Home Run Derby will take place at Field 4 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., raising funds for the Cranberry Community Uniting People’s fund for local families experiencing financial or medical hardships.

Hadley Brickett meets Santa as part of Santa’s Summer Visit at the Cranberry Community Days Festival in 2021. Butler Eagle file photo

A “Battle of the Badges” sand volleyball tournament between township first responders will take place at 7 p.m. Friday. Franchise Band and BB Steal will perform from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 to 9:45 p.m., respectively.

Saturday will see the most activity, starting with the 7:30 a.m. Community Chase 5K Walk/Run, and the Lions Club Pancake & Sausage Breakfast and Cornhole Skills Challenge at Jaycees Shelter from 8 to 11 a.m. Booths will be open from 1 to 11 p.m., with live music from The Fabulous Gunslingers from 1 to 2:30 p.m., TKO – Top 40 Rock & Pop from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m., Pixelated – Premier 90s/00s Rock from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and NOMaD from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

The Sunrise Rotary will hold a bingo competition at the Jaycees Shelter from 5 to 9 p.m., and the evening will finish with Zambelli fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

Throughout the three-day period, the Cranberry Township Pickleball Association will hold an introductory beginners pickleball workshop each day at 5:30, 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Rain didn’t dampen too many spirits at Cranberry Community Days in 2021. Butler Eagle file photo