EAST BRADY, Clarion County — Organizers of the 23rd annual East Brady Area Riverfest expect it will bring thousands of people to this community on the Allegheny River.

The country fair-themed event will be July 18 to 20 and will be staged at Graham Field on Verner Street.

Ann Moody, who co-chairs the event with Sally Snow, said, "Over the whole weekend, we'll probably get close to 4,000."

The festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. July 18 with a firefighter's parade in celebration of the fire company's 125th anniversary. Jim Kelly, East Brady native and former Buffalo Bills quarterback, will ride in the parade as the Citizen of the Year and a town sign will be dedicated to Kelly following the parade.

The Rev. Jack Moriarty will lead the 8 p.m. invocation ceremony at Graham Field. The Country Steppers will perform 8:15 to 9 p.m. and Elvis impersonator Bill Barnhart will follow from 9 to 11 p.m.

On July 19, Kelly will sign autographs from noon to 1 p.m. and Hunter's Hope bears will be sold to raise money for Krabbe disease research. Kelly's son, Hunter, died from that disease.

Other activities include carnival games, an appearance by magician David Lawrence and performances by the Rising Regina Musical Trio, Adrenaline Rush and Street Level.

Many of the attractions are new to the festival this year.

"We're having spin art this year, the magician is new and a lot of the singing groups are brand new," she said.

The car cruise runs 4 to 8 p.m. July 19, with the first 50 cars to register receiving dash plaques. Cartwright Fireworks will provide a show at dusk Saturday.

The Clarion County A.B.A.T.E. Club will sponsor a Dice Run for motorcycles July 20 at Graham Field. Registration opens at 10 a.m. and the race starts at noon.

The Heart Beat Christian rock group performs noon to 1 p.m. July 20 and the band Your Fractured FairyTale will take the stage from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

The KC Variety show will start at 2:30 p.m. July 20, with the Beautiful Baby contest winner announced after. The contest is open to children up to 18 months old. To enter, submit a sealed, decorated coffee can by 6:30 p.m. July 18 and include the baby's name and age and the name and address of parents.

The Wild World of Animals show starts at 4 p.m. July 20 and all raffle drawings are at 5 p.m.

Moody said people should visit the fair to support their community and see how the festival has grown.

"There are always new things going on," Moody said. "Things are bigger and better."