Jesse Hubert demonstrates the homemade craft he and his brother Dalton will enter in the Anything That Floats competition during Freeport's September by the River Festival this weekend. The competition is a new event this year.

FREEPORT — Those attending the September by the River Festival this weekend in Riverside Park will likely notice some changes.

New musical groups will be featured, and a stuffed pet parade will replace the live pet parades formerly held.

Event chairwoman Sue Hunter said stuffed pets were chosen partly because some children don't have live pets and partly to boost festival attendance.

"If (attendees) brought pets they didn't stay. They would go home," Hunter said.

Perhaps the most noticeable addition this year will be the Anything That Floats competition on Saturday, replacing the bed races featured in past years.

"We've been trying to make an effort to do more things that incorporate the river," said Mary Bowlin, a board member of the Freeport Renaissance Association, which hosts the event.

As part of Anything That Floats, teams of two to five people will propel homemade crafts down the Allegheny River alongside the park. Entries cannot be made from boats, inflatable pool toys or anything else designed for flotation.

Oars can be used to power the crafts, however, since motors are not permitted.

"We've sent out quite a few rules and applications, but they're allowed to just show up that day, Bowlin said, noting cash prizes will be awarded to winning teams.

Since the contest is new this year, organizers are unsure how many teams will come forward. But at least one, the Hubert family of South Buffalo Township, plans to participate.

"We took a 55-gallon plastic drum, cut it in half lengthwise and bolted those two halves together so it opens up like an egg crate," said Leanne Hubert, whose sons Dalton, 16, and Jesse, 14, will do the paddling.

"My husband Don is actually the one building it — so if it sinks it's his fault," she said.

Other new events at the festival will include a rubber ducky derby, for which cash prizes will be awarded. Popular events carried over from previous festivals include entertainment by American Pie and a firemen's chili cook-off.

For more information or to register for the Anything That Floats competition, call 724-295-4288.

These events will be part of the September by the River Festival this weekend in Freeport's Riverside Park on Riverside Drive:<B>SATURDAY</B>• 10 a.m. — Basket Raffle Open• 11 a.m. — All day activities that include children's games, crafts, bake sale, flea market, hay ride, Freeport Volunteer Fire Department chili cook-off, That Bird Guy performance• Noon — Freeport cheerleaders perform• 2 p.m. — Ducky Derby• 2:30 p.m. — Anything That Floats registration• 3 p.m. — Anything That Floats• 5 p.m. — Anything on Wheels parade• 6 p.m. — Chili cook-off winners announced; entertainment by American Pie• Dark — Lighted boat parade<B>SUNDAY</B>• Noon — Basket raffle until 4 p.m.• Noon — Children's games, crafts, bake sale and flea market until 6 p.m.• Noon — Hay ride• 12:30 p.m. — Sadecky's Puppets• 1:30 p.m. — Stuffed pet parade led by Jimbo the Clown• 2 p.m. — Entertainment by musical group Hollywood Era• 4 to 6 p.m. — Big Fat Jazz Band; Freeport Leechburg Apollo Group River Sojourners arrive• 5 p.m. — Basket winners, FAB Awards and 50/50 winners announced