WILTON – The downtown streets are expected to be bustling with people at this weekend’s 26th annual Wilton Blueberry Festival.

Aug. 1 and 2 will include some familiar events as well as some new ones.

The Wilton Free Public Library will show off its recently finished renovation with an open house from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Director David Olson said. Readers were browsing the new young adult section on the mezzanine Tuesday. Designed to attract more teenage readers, the mezzanine also serves as a multipurpose area, he said. With the new handicap entrance and elevator completed, the staff is ready for visitors to explore the new spaces. The library will be closed Saturday, he added.

A concert featuring Debbie Myers is one of the new events this year, organizer Shannon Smith said. The concert will be held Friday at 7:15 p.m. at Nichols Expo on Weld Street and follows a day of entertainment from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The parade, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, recognizes emergency personnel with a theme, Say Thanks to our Firefighters and EMS Personnel, she said. Local firefighters and EMS as well as a few from as far away as New York plan to be there.

Cash prizes will be awarded for entries in several categories: business, Americanism, prettiest, most original, antique cars, blueberry and commercial.

Another big draw, fireworks over Wilson Lake begin about 9 p.m. Saturday or Sunday if it rains. A parade of boats on Wilson Lake begins at 6:30 p.m. with the same theme as the morning parade.

Parents are welcome to enter their babies and toddlers in a derby race or baby crawl contest, Smith said. The event will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday in Kineowatha Park.

A blueberry festival must have blueberries and opportunities to enjoy blueberry desserts, blueberry pancakes as well as other tasty treats such as lobster rolls, barbecued chicken, fried clams and pork dinners are spread throughout the two-day event.

But there’s also a chance to show others a favorite blueberry recipe in the blueberry cook-off Saturday. Entries will be accepted until 1 p.m. at Nichols Expo and judging starts at 1:30 p.m.

There’s also a chili-tasting contest with entries accepted until 1 p.m. Tasting starts at 1:30 p.m.

A youth division for ages up to 15 is planned for both contests. For more information about either of these events, call 645-2082.

Boat tours of the lake will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday at the boat launch. Friends of Wilson Lake will sponsor the event and accept donations. They will also have copies of their new cookbook available.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce will take prisoners for their jail in front of KeyBank from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Craft and food sales will line the downtown sidewalks Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturday craft and food sales will be located at the Nichols Expo after the parade till 4 p.m.

There will be no parking on Main Street on Saturday but free shuttle services are available with pickup locations at TJ’s Corner Story and KeyBank downtown. People may park and ride from Wiles Funeral Home, Cushing School, Academy Hill School, Nichols Expo Center, Kineowatha Park and Wilson Lake Inn.