Volunteers and vendors at the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert are hoping the rain clouds stay away this weekend, as the annual West End Fireman’s Festival began Thursday and runs through Saturday evening.

“The weather is looking kind of iffy. Our big draw is the Tricky Tray, which is inside the Everett Building and has over 450 prizes, including a grill, kayak, jewelry, gift cards, cash and weed whacker,” said Aaron Keller, festival chairman and Polk Township firefighter.

Last call to buy tickets for the Tricky Tray is 7 p.m. Saturday, and the drawing will occur an hour later.

Four local fire departments — Polk Township, Kunkletown, West End and Blue Ridge — began the festival in 2019. It was on hiatus in 2020 during the pandemic, and returned in 2021.

“The money raised is divided among the four departments, and each decides how to use the funds, whether it is on apparatus, gear or other day-to-day expenses,” Keller said.

The gates open today at 5 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission cost is per vehicle.

“Attendees just pay to park, then the admission into the event is free,” Keller said.

Entertainment tonight is Brian Dean Moore Band, from 6 to 9 p.m.; Chris Eckert is from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday and The Cramer Brothers from 6 to 9 p.m.

E.B. Amusements has set up their rides near the grand stands. Rides include the Ferris wheel, Berry Go Round, a couple fun houses, Round Up, airplanes and elephants. There will also be pony rides for children.

Weather permitting, there will be a Touch-A-Truck at 3 p.m., including fire trucks, police cars, heavy equipment and a medical helicopter; a candy drop at 5 p.m.; and a fireworks display by Shooting Star Fireworks’ at 9:30 p.m.

Volunteers from the four fire departments will run their food stand, which has chicken, clams, pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage sandwiches.

“We have a handful of other food vendors, like Dale’s Concessions, Elephant Ears and Coastal Cravings, and beer and wine vendors, such as Barley Creek, Cardinal Hollow and Grovedale,” he said.

There are more than 30 vendors offering unique, decorative or handmade items around the festival grounds.

“I have been here to sell at the fair before, but this is my first time setting up at the festival,” said Penny Stenger, owner of Signs O’ Life. “I make 3D layered wood art such as night lights, Christmas ornaments and key holders. I have been in business 15 years.”

She and two of her staff, Lauren Angst and Carol VanHorn, were at the fairgrounds Thursday morning hanging their sign, unloading their totes of merchandise and getting their tent ready for when the gates open.

“We sell our items on Etsy, at festivals and craft shows,” said Stenger. “We do engraving right here, so our customers can take their item right along home.”

The West End Fairgrounds address is 570 Fairgrounds Road, Gilbert.