SILVER CREEK — The 51st annual Festival of Grapes is set for Sept. 14-16 in Silver Creek and the committee is busy making plans.

The pentathlon for both girls and boys — ages 7 and 8 will be held on today at Silver Creek Elementary playground; there is no cost to enter. Registration begins at 5:30 and the competition begins at 6.

The grape dessert and jam contest will be held Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Mt. Carmel church, 135 Central Avenue, Silver Creek. There will be adult categories of grape pie, grape dessert, and grape preserve/jam. There is also a kid’s grape creations category for those 12 and under. Juding will begin at 10 a.m. with first, second and third place winners with a monetary prize for first. The amateur wine making tasting contest will also be held that morning, there is a $2 cost to enter either event. If you have any questions or would like to pre-register, please contact Susan Skarzenski at 716-237-0273.

Other events included this year are of course delicious foods and a craft fair in the park, rides and amusements in the downtown ballpark, live entertainment, and the presentation of the Grape Grower of the Year award. Presale tickets for ride passes are available until Wednesday after which they’ll be available at the ride concession ticket booth during the weekend.

On Friday the festival kicks off with the opening ceremony at 5 p.m. followed by the crowd favorite- grape stomping. Come cheer the stompers on as they see who can be the fastest to fill their bucket with grape juice.

The big Festival of Grapes parade will be on Sunday afternoon with many bands, floats, fire trucks and marchers.

The festival is also looking for volunteers. If you have an interest in being a part of the festival, please call either Deanna Borrello at 934-2410 or Carol Kuchera at 549-8239. Look for more information and check us out on Facebook.