ZELIENOPLE — About 40,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Horse Trading Days.

The three-day festival will take place Thursday to Saturday with activities and events running from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

“We try the best we can to keep the integrity of what the festival is about,” first-year organizer Matthew Edwards said. “We’re excited and ready to go.”

Along with traditional features, this year’s festival has some new events and brings back others after several years.

One new feature is a farmers’ market. About 20 vendors are scheduled to showcase their local produce.

Edwards said the idea for a farmers market came from some festival committee members.

“It’s something we thought would draw attention and hopefully spread the festival along Main Street,” he said.

The market will be held all three days from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the corner of Main and Beaver streets.

“We just wanted to add things that would allow people to explore Zelienople a little more,” he said.

Between 80 and 100 craft vendors and about 15 food vendors also will be at the festival.

The first corn hole tournament will take place this year. It will be at the Passavant House Lawn. Competitors will play for a $300 top prize and a commemorative corn hole set.

Registration is $30 per team.

“We wanted to add some new things to draw crowds that normally wouldn’t come to our festival,” Edwards said.

After several years, a 5K race will be brought back to this year’s Horse Trading Days. The Hot-to-Trot 5K will start at 9 a.m. Saturday. The course starts and ends at Zelienople Community Park.

Late registration and packet pickup, which includes a swag bag, T-shirt and finisher’s medal, can be picked up from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Farmer’s Insurance Agency.

“This is a very fun course that will be enjoyed by runners beginner or advanced,” according to the 5K’s description on the Horse Trading Days website.

Plenty of regular features return to the festival.

Horses will trot down Main Street on Friday for the annual horse parade. No floats or bands will be in the parade, which starts at 7 p.m.

Concerts will be held each day at 7:30 p.m.

The Pittsburgh area country-rock band North Of Mason-Dixon (NOMaD) will play Thursday. The band won the 2012 “One Track Find” contest presented by Mello Yello for its song, “American Boy.”

The Pittsburgh eight-piece band No Bad Juju will perform Friday. The band plays a mix of rock, R&B and contemporary.

The Softwinds will perform Saturday. The band plays dance music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Visitors can get a tour of the town with horse-drawn carriage rides Friday and Saturday.

Children will be treated to various activities, including games, inflatables and pony rides.

Currency will be a throwback to olden times. Wooden nickels can be picked up at the information booth at the festival and can be redeemed at stores and booths that have signs saying they accept them.

Borough officials are excited for the festival.

“I always look forward to it,” said Mayor Tom Oliverio. “It gives us a chance to showcase Zelienople.”

The full three-day schedule of events can be found on the Horse Trading Days website.