Although financial difficulties and a lack of participation from area crafters forced the cancellation of the Harmar Days Street Festival in 2009, it will be back this year - along with the apple pie-baking contest.
Members of the Harmar Bridge Company, who are organizing the event, have announced it is planned for July 31 and Aug. 1.
"Financially this year, we're a little stronger," said Chuck Swaney, owner of FOUND on Maple Street in Marietta and a member of the company. "I think what surprised us last year is we got the ball rolling late."
Swaney said the goal is for this year's festival to feature many of the same demonstrations from when it started 25 years ago.
"It used to be Pioneer Days and then we got away from that, and now we want to try to get back to that a little and try to bring spinners and weavers," he said.
Also scheduled is the apple pie contest, which hasn't been held in the last five years.
Butch Badgett, a member of the company and an organizer of the contest, said its past popularity prompted the group to bring it back.
"A lot of people liked it, and we drew a big crowd for it," he said.
The contest, held in the past around the Fourth of July holiday, is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 31. It will be held in the 100 block of Maple Street.
There will be three judges for the event, and the top five pies will be auctioned off. Pies not auctioned off will be sold for $5 each, Badgett said.
Swaney said the contest usually raises about $1,000.
The proceeds will go to the company, whose members are local merchants and individuals who maintain the bridge, the train cars and the post office that sits behind the Busy Bee Restaurant.
The festival will kick off with the turning of the railroad bridge, and will feature craft and food vendors, as well as a country store and music.
