EVANS CITY — The festivities planned for the 27th annual Evans City Oktoberfest this weekend include a new and thunderous twist.

Marlene Domhoff, co-chairman of the event planning committee, said a financial firm will sponsor fireworks at 8 p.m. Saturday.

In an interesting twist, District Judge Wayne Seibel, whose courtroom is in Evans City, will set off the fireworks.

“(Seibel) called me in March and asked about Oktoberfest,” Domhoff said. “He said ‘Would you like some fireworks? Jim Nelson is going to sponsor them, and I just got my license to set them off.’”

Oktoberfest will be from Friday morning until Sunday at 4 p.m. on Wahl Avenue and Jackson Street. The German-themed event is held in September to coincide with the traditional festival in Germany.

It will open at 10 a.m. on Friday with crafts and food. The weekend of entertainment on the stage across from the fire hall will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, when the Evans City Senior Center Drum Circle will perform. Accordion artist Pat Septak will follow from 5 to 7 p.m. The fire hall will hold various games as well.

On Saturday, the traditional all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast will be from 7 to 10 a.m. at the fire hall. Cost is $5 and proceeds will benefit the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department. Domhoff said the meal will be held in the truck bays.

Crafters and food vendors will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the Oktoberfest Parade will begin on Main Street at 11 a.m. Patches the Clown will entertain the crowd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with his miniature Volkswagen.

“Of course, Volkswagen is German, so that’s appropriate,” Domhoff said.

The Evans City Middle School band will perform at 11:30, followed by a Oktoberfest regular, musician Waldo Young.

“We try to mix the entertainment up so it’s not the same thing every year, but we keep Waldo because he’s an Evans City guy,” Domhoff said.

A demonstration with the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Department’s mobile firehouse, a children’s tractor pull, a performance by the Jentz at 5 p.m., and children’s movies at the fire hall at 7 will precede the fireworks at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, the Oktoberfest will open at noon, and festivalgoers can visit a car cruise from noon to 4 p.m. on Main Street. A DJ will play music.

Domhoff’s favorite act, the Ambridge Steel Drum Band, will perform at 1 p.m.

“They’re fantastic,” Domhoff said. “The people just love them.”

At 2:30 p.m., magician David Lawrence will amaze the crowd, and a community church service at 4 p.m. will close the event.

“It’s good for people to come out and get together,” Domhoff said of the importance of small-town festivals. “People love to come and visit with people they may not see too often.”

She expects 5,000 to 6,000 people to turn out if the weather is good, and reminds those making weekend plans that the women from St. Matthias Catholic Church again will sell homemade perogies.

Nearly 50 vendors will sell crafts and various delicacies, and large tents over picnic tables will be available for comfortable dining.

Nearly 70 silent auction baskets will be set up at the fire hall, with proceeds for the planning of next year’s Oktoberfest. Merchandise commemorating the event also will be sold at the fire hall.

Having served on the Oktoberfest committee for more than 25 years, many of those years as chairman, Domhoff has made it a family affair. Her brother-in-law was a founder of the event, her sister and two daughters also are on the committee, and her niece coordinates the extensive silent auction.

“I was born and raised in Evans City. It’s my hometown,” Domhoff said. “It’s fun to do.”

Brochures listing the Oktoberfest events are available at nearly all businesses in the borough.