ZELIENOPLE — Horse Trading Days will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a fireworks display to culminate the summer festival that features a full slate of music, games, food and summer fun.

Organizers said the event, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, attracts 40,000 to the downtown Zelienople area.

“We’re looking forward to having another successful Horse Trading Days celebration,” said Jennifer Ackerman, event organizer and director of the Zelienople-Harmony Chamber of Commerce.

Returning this year will be the sounds of clip clopping hoofs and excited children up and down Main Street.

The horse parade showcases families’ beloved horses, ride and boarding stables and horse riding training clubs through downtown Zelienople.

This year, the parade has been changed from Thursday to Friday evening. The Zelie Roundup Horse Parade will be at 7 p.m. Friday.

Food and craft vendors will fill Four Corners Park, while merchants will be on sidewalks to greet visitors and display their merchandise.

“I know that a lot of people come to eat doughnuts from the Amish doughnut makers, and they will be back again this year,” said Ackerman.

Entertainment will be held at the Strand Theater featuring Sydney Hutchko at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, NOMaD at 7:30 p.m. Friday and The Softwinds at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Live entertainment will also be held at the Gazebo and the Passavant House.

There will be Christian entertainment on Saturday at the Park United Presbyterian Church parking lot outdoor stage from 1 to 7 p.m. This is a free event with seating provided. The church is located on the corners of Grandview and Main in Zelienople.

The Little Mr. & Miss Horse Trading Days pageant once again will be held this year. Pageant application and registration requirements can be found on the Horse Trading Days website.

Children ages 4 to 7 are able to participate. The pageant will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Walgreen’s.

A new feature this year is the horse drawn wagon rides that will have pick up and drop off spots at the gas station by Four Corners Park from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The grand finale of the 50th anniversary celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the amphitheater in the Zelienople Community Park with Corbin/Hanner preforming and a Zambelli Fireworks show beginning at 9:30 p.m.

More information can be found at www.horsetradingdays.info.