Summerfest stretched to a two-day event

ROACHDALE -- Summerfest, a staple in Roachdale every year, returns to town this weekend, running from Saturday, June 23 to Sunday, June 24.

The 2012 version will feature many of the old favorites -- a parade, a car show and the famous Roach Race -- but adds a variety of new elements.

Most significantly it will now take place over two full days, a change from the past when the event was on Friday night and Saturday morning, and it will include a full carnival.

Summerfest will take place in downtown Roachdale on Washington Street. Events will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday with the "Roachdale Stomp" 5K run.

The carnival -- which features kiddie rides, inflatable items, a rock wall and a trampoline bungee bounce -- and a variety of vendors will be set up and running downtown from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Roach Race will be at 10 a.m. Saturday.

"We have roaches on site," Roachdale Summerfest Committee Chair Katrina Asher said. "I try to stay away from that section."

Contestants can purchase the hissing Madagascar cockroach of their choice and have a chance to take home the 2012 title.

A variety of contests will occur over the course of the two days. On Saturday there is a pie tasting contest, a kids pedal tractor pull, a car show and a Little Miss and Little Mister contest.

On Sunday there is a pet parade and a cornhole tournament.

Registration for the car show will be 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. The show begins at noon with prizes announced at 4 p.m.

There is still space available for vendors at the event and for the parade at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Anyone wishing to sign up for either may contact Asher at 522-1571, 376-5050 or kasher@tds.net.

More information can be found by logging on to Facebook and searching for "Roachdale Summerfest."

To sign up for the 5k run, visit signmeup.com and search "Roachdale Stomp."

Summerfest will also include a dunk tank, car smash, pony rides a VFW fish fry and a Sunday morning pancake breakfast.