The West End Volunteer Firemen’s Festival returns to the fairgrounds in Gilbert this Thursday through Saturday.

“We want people to come out and have fun listening to the bands. This is the first big event for our four departments in a while,” said Jeff Weiss, president of West End Fire Company. “This is our second festival.”

In 2019, West End, Kunkletown, Polk and Blue Ridge fire companies hosted their first festival at the West End Fairgrounds. They held a small carnival during the pandemic.

Volunteers from the four departments, along with a crew from ride vendor ABE Amusements, were at the fairgrounds Tuesday evening to set up for the three-day event.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Gates close at 9:30 p.m. all three nights.

The event is cash only, but there will be ATMs on site.

“The cost is $10 per carload, whether you bring one person or 10,” said Weiss.

Fireworks will occur at 9:30 Saturday night.

The festival committee has lined up six bands: The Hawks and Cramer Brothers Band will perform on Thursday; Chris Eckert and Brian Dean Moore Band will perform Friday; and Rehrig Brothers and Midnight Special will perform Saturday.

“There will be festival T-shirts for sale each day,” said Aaron Keller, lieutenant and a director of Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company.

There will be rides, games, 15 to 20 craft vendors, and Scott Stevens will provide horse-drawn wagon rides for a minimal fee.

There will be a special price wristband for rides on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. The cost is not known yet.

“The big thing is the food. We’ll have clams, ½ roasted chicken, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and pizza,” said Weiss.

There will be an enclosed area, where beer and seltzers will be sold. The outside seating area will be near the main stage, so people can watch the bands.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

On Saturday, the Monroe County Cruisers and Friends are bringing some classic cars to display.

The Monroe County Control Center will be at the festival with their public education trailer.