Rick Reifenstein, the voice of Oktoberfest, wears traditional German lederhosen during last year's festival in Evans City. This year's festival is Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Evans City Oktoberfest is back for a 31st year to celebrate the borough's German heritage and bring the community together.

The festival begins Friday and runs through Sunday in downtown Evans City.

[naviga:h3]Friday[/naviga:h3]

Activities begin at 9 a.m. Friday with the popular quilt show at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Marlene Domhoff, co-chairman of the festival, said quilts are displayed, judged and prizes are awarded in various categories.

“People enjoy coming and looking at all of the quilts,” Domhoff said. “There are some beautiful ones there.”

Crafters and food vendors will be set up from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Live entertainment will go on throughout the weekend, beginning with This, That & The Other Thing at 5 p.m. Friday.

Freshly-made Amish doughnuts will be on sale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, a popular food attraction during the weekend.

“They're to die for,” Domhoff said.

[naviga:h3]Saturday[/naviga:h3]

The Evans City Area Volunteer Fire Department will kick things off at 7 a.m. Saturday with its all-you- can-eat pancake breakfast.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will include three Shriners units, the American Legion Riders, Seneca Valley JROTC, floats and fire trucks. The parade marshal this year is Roy Long, Domhoff said.

Each year the Oktoberfest committee chooses a person who is active in the community and has done a lot for the community to lead the parade as marshal, Domhoff said.

Fireworks by Darren Miller and Craig Davidson Fireworks will be set off at 8 p.m. Saturday from the Evans City cemetery.

[naviga:h3]Sunday[/naviga:h3]

Sunday brings the community church service at 11 a.m. Domhoff said last year the non-denominational service drew its biggest crowd with about 200 people in attendance.

The four churches in the Evans City Ministerium — St. John's United Church of Christ, St. Peter's Lutheran, Westminster United Presbyterian and Crestview Community United Presbyterian in Callery — put the service together. Those planning to attend the community church service are asked to take a chair.

Throughout the weekend, the Oktoberfest organizing committee will have Oktoberfest-themed apparel and other merchandise on sale at the information booth in front of the fire hall. The committee also puts together a large silent auction with about 50 to 60 baskets up for grabs, Domhoff said.

The committee also sells raffle tickets for different items each year. This year an indoor/outdoor water fountain is being raffled off.

Proceeds from the auction, raffle and sales go to the fire department and local Boy Scouts. Money also goes to pay for expenses and putting on the event again next year.

WHAT: OktoberfestWHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (Fireworks at 8 p.m. Saturday.)Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.WHERE: Downtown Evans City