On a weekend traditionally commemorated with stay-at-home backyard barbecues and community parades and memorial services, Butler County is expecting a $2 million rush of tourists.

A handful of out-of-towner attractions — most notably a 13-state youth soccer tourney — are expected to fill local hotels, restaurants and shops for the three-day holiday.

“Even the weather is supposed to cooperate,” said Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau President Jack Cohen. “We’ve very fortunate that everyone is going to have a great time outdoors in Butler County.”

The U.S. Youth Soccer organization will host its Region 1 President’s Cup tournament at sites from one end of the county to the other, utilizing fields in Cranberry Township and Slippery Rock.

“Memorial Day weekend is a big soccer tournament weekend,” said Tim McCoy executive director of the Pennsylvania West Soccer Association.

Officials are expecting 108 teams of 12 to 18 members each from across the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. This is the first time the competition has been held in Western Pennsylvania, McCoy said.

The teams, both boys and girls ages 12 to 17, will use fields at Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock High School and Cranberry Township’s North Boundary and Graham parks.

The tournament here is one of several that will be held simultaneously around the country. The winners of each tournament will face off in July for the President’s Cup national championship in South Carolina.

McCoy said Butler County was picked to host the tournament because the fields are near each other and available accommodations.

“It all fits nicely together,” McCoy said.

“This is big for our county,” said Cohen who noted many of the more than 1,500 players will be traveling with their parents and utilize hotel accommodations as well as buy food and entertainment when they are not playing soccer.

For example, the tournament’s 120 referees will pay $71.50 a night to Slippery Rock University for overnight accommodations at a residence hall, food and use of classrooms.

Chris Cole, director of the student center and conference service, said it’s not the largest group to book such accommodations at the school. But it’s likely the largest, adult-only booking.

“It’s a nice sized group for us,” Cole said.

McCoy said none of the players had problems booking a room because the organization employs a travel agency to make the reservations. He was unsure how many hotels would host participants.

In total, Cohen anticipates the soccer tournament alone will bring between $1.5 million and $2 million.

But it’s not the only good-sized draw this weekend.

Cranberry’s Graham Park also is playing host to Seneca Valley Lacrosse Association’s annual lacrosse festival Saturday. Sixteen teams from around the region are participating.

The weekend also kicks off the season for Moraine Preservation Fund’s Nautical Nature cruises. The 45-foot, 37-passenger pontoon boat crosses Lake Arthur. Manager Carol Bickel said attendance is often affected by the weather.

And now in its 18th year, the Butler Outdoor Club’s annual Outdoor Extravaganza is expecting about 200 participants during the three-day event. With base camp at Breakneck Campground on Cheeseman Road near McConnells Mill and Moraine state parks, some activities are there while others are hosted at nearby sites including Lake Arthur and the Emlenton Mill.

The activities change daily and range from hiking, biking and windsurfing to child-friendly happenings.

“We have some great things going on,” said Joyce Appel of the outdoors club.

Appel said she hasn’t heard of anyone having problems from her group finding accommodations, but most of the Extravaganza’s participants won’t compete with the soccer players for hotel rooms.

“A lot of them camp. Or they find motels or cabins,” she said noting that some people come back every year. “But we always have new people, too.”

Dustin Drew, manager of Moraine and McConnells Mill state parks, said activities related to fishing, kayaking and hiking will be in motion as of this weekend. And Monday is statewide “Fish for Free Day,” at which time anyone can fish, even without a license.

“How many people will visit the park is always dependent on the weather,” Drew said. “But it’s safe to say thousands.”