Mount Jewett will be hosting its 49th Swedish Festival from Aug. 9-11, which means it’s time for meatballs, fireworks and human foosball.

Beth Carpenter, chair of the festival board, said last year’s turnout was a great one and said the Mount Jewett heritage draws many visitors who used to be residents.

“A lot of people plan their vacations around the Swedish Festival,” Carpenter told The Era. “A lot of people that lived here or grew up here come to the Swedish Festival. We’ve had people from Sweden, Canada, everywhere come here.”

She explained the opening ceremony will commence at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at St. Matthews Church with the crowning of Swedish Festival royalty soon to follow.

“We have our opening ceremony at 6 (p.m.) with lots of entertainment all the way up until 11 p.m. Friday night also includes the crowning of the Swedish Festival royalty and the prince and princess contestants,” said Carpenter.

Another highlight in the festival’s event catalog is its car and bike show on Saturday.

“We do have the car and bike show, it’s $10 to register,” she noted, before adding there is no admission fee for the festival.

As far as what brings people back each year, her answer was a simple one — community, family and tradition.

“Everyone is invited to enjoy the festivities,” she said. “It’s a very family oriented festival and we look forward to seeing everyone.”

Other exciting events scheduled for this year’s festival include, on Saturday, a children’s bike race, ages 3-12, at 9 a.m. at the former Keystone Building, a Swedish meatball contest at 11 a.m. at the Heritage Park gazebo, a parade at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the Bob Swanson Memorial Run will start at 9 a.m. at the Kinzua Bridge Trail with registration starting at 8 a.m. A human foosball game will also take place at 1 p.m. near the Mount Jewett post office.