Rider Barb Carlin trots along during the festivities at Horse Trading Days 2015 in Zelienople.

ZELIENOPLE — The 53rd annual Horse Trading Days scheduled for July 14 to 16 is expected to draw about 40,000 people to the area.

“Everything is full speed ahead,” festival organizer Matthew Edwards said. “We can't wait for it to get here.”

Edwards said the festival is approved to use the Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School's parking lot again for parking. A shuttle bus will to take visitors to and from the festival.

“It worked out really well,” Edwards said about the parking. “One of the major complaints we've had in the past was the limited amount of parking during the festival.”

Musical guests also have been scheduled for all three days. These include Franklin Park native Sydney Hutchko, No Bad Juju and The Softwinds. The latter two performed last year at the festival as well.

Other staple features returning this year include horse-drawn wagon rides, the Round Up Horse Parade at 7 p.m. that Friday, craft vendors and children's activities.

The Hot-to-Trot 5K run/walk and Horse Trading Days cornhole tournament also will return for the second year.

A new outdoor stage will be set up at the Spring Street parking lot and used for entertainment throughout the festival, including music performances and the beauty pageant.

Edwards said the stage should attract more people to that part of Main Street.

“It's another advantage for the businesses,” he said. “It's another venue for people to check out.”

Edwards said the festival will continue to try to attract people to the south side of Main Street as it did last year.

“It was a good first step,” he said of last year.

The festival will focus attention to that area several ways, including having more vendors, having the cornhole tournament at the Passavant House, and having the shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off location at the corner of Beaver and Main streets.

Edwards also said more businesses on Main Street's south side may want to participate in the festival.

More information, including a list of events, can be found at horsetradingdays.com.