The 40th annual Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Block Party will run Friday and Saturday at the fire department on Fairyland Road.

It marks a return for the fire company’s top fundraiser after last year’s event had to be canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, said Chris Lilly, president of the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary.

Lilly said corporate sponsors of the event include St. Luke’s Hospital and Lehigh Valley Health Network, who are sponsoring the bands and the fireworks.

She said the Chinese auction and various other activities are being sponsored and funded by numerous local businesses.

Lilly said the event starts at 4 p.m. both days, with a menu that includes baked potatoes, burgers, hot dogs, barbecue, French fries, pierogies, waffles and ice cream, funnel cakes, caramel apples, popcorn and candy.

She said other activities both days include a huge Chinese auction; bake sale; giveaways; health and wellness information; free children’s activities; Buster the Clown; Bingo; Big Six Wheel; Dime Toss; Lottery Tree; 50/50, raffles, rip-opens and a beer garden. Prize drawing times are to be announced.

Lilly said Friday will feature seafood dinners from 4-7 p.m., along with music by Mystery City from 6-10 p.m.

She said the dinners include a choice of baked haddock, fried haddock, chicken fingers or shrimp served with choice of French fries or filling. The cost is $11 per meal, and are available until they run out.

“We do try to accommodate everybody, but it’s not always guaranteed,” Lilly said. “The earlier they get there, the better.”

Lilly said Saturday’s lineup includes performances from the Sabo School of Irish Dance at 4:15 and 4:45 p.m., and music by The Bassments at 6 p.m., followed by the Super Sonic Godfathers until 10 p.m. Additionally, there will be a garden tractor pull from 7-10 p.m., followed by a fireworks spectacular at 10:30 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to normal, or semi-normal, and having a block party again,” she said. “We scaled it back a little bit.”

However, Lilly noted there are some new attractions such as the musical entertainment, as well as children’s games where they can actually buy a ticket and play their games.

“We’re trying to make it a little different than every year,” she said “Between the firemen, the auxiliary, fire police and the community, everybody has stepped up to make the block party a success, and we’re looking forward to seeing a lot of the local community in attendance.”