LONGVIEW - It takes a village to host a beloved annual event in Longview.
Little New York Daze is a two-day festival happening on July 15 and 16 in the village south of Diamond Valley.
Volunteer Mandy Mounts said the family-friendly event is put together by everyone in the village.
“Everyone works really hard to put this thing on," Mounts said. "And it turns out to be a great little event.”
A pancake breakfast on July 15, starting at 7:30 a.m., kicks things off before the parade gets going at 10 a.m.
This year’s parade theme is Salute to Our Youth.
“We have a couple of surprises that we haven’t had in the parade before that we’re excited about," she said.
Last year, the parade route changed and it went through residential areas, but that was not the norm.
This year the parade will go along Highway 22, or Morrison Road as it's known locally.
"It will start on the one side street and then go on the main road, like it had in previous years," she said.
Following the parade, there will be kids activities at Centennial Park and at the Longview School grounds.
“There will be the face painting, the bouncy castles (and) the petting zoo, all on the Saturday,” she said.
A cinnamon bun eating contest at the Little Apple Café on Saturday afternoon is a new event added this year, she said.
Also on Saturday, the annual village supper takes place at the fire hall, followed by fireworks.
“(It’s) lots of food and fun,” she added.
On July 16, things get started with Church in the Park at 9:30 a.m. at Centennial Park, followed by lunch, beer gardens and a car show.
A market will be held both days, and it goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 15 and noon to 4 p.m. on July 16.
For more information, visit facebook.com/LittleNewYorkDaze.
