Arvada has a western weekend in store as the town prepares for the 94th annual Arvada Harvest Festival and Parade, which will take place in Olde Town Arvada on Sept. 6, 7 and 8.

The nearly-century-old tradition will have a western theme this year and will begin at 5 p.m. Friday night, wrapping up with a family movie at McIlvoy Park on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Vendors, parade entrants, those competing in festival contests and individuals interested in attending should regularly check both pages for new information and changes.

Additionally, here are five things for Arvadans to keep in mind as the yearly tradition approaches:

Parade location

The parade will start at a different location this year with the festivities beginning at Allison Street and Ralston Road.

Parade entrants will receive their number in the lineup by email no later than Aug. 30.

Before the parade

As per tradition, community members are invited to decorate the parade route with sidewalk chalk prior to the parade, which begins at 9 a.m. Before the parade, individuals can pick up chalk from the announcer’s tables, which will be stationed along the parade route.

There is handicap parking available at Arvada City Hall.

MORE: Relive the 2018 Arvada Harvest Fest in photos

Become a volunteer

The festival is still seeking volunteers to assist with a number of tasks, including checking in vendors and parade entrants, driving golf cart shuttles and emptying on-site trash bins. Volunteers can sign up for shifts on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and will receive a t-shirt the day of their shift at the information booth, located at Grandview Avenue and Upham Street.

Prospective volunteers can sign up for a shift online under the Volunteers tab. The festival will accept volunteer applications through Sept. 4.

The spelling bee competition

The festival’s annual spelling bee will return this year, with an entry form available on the festival website homepage.

Open to students in the third through eighth grades, the competition begins with a written test at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the cafeteria in the Shrine of St. Anne Catholic School, 7320 Grant Pl.

On Sept. 8, Spectators can swing by School House Kitchen and Libations, 5660 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., for the final round of the competition at 4 p.m.

Winning the parade

Judges will select parade entrants to receive cash prizes, which will be announced and distributed at 3 p.m. on Sept. 7 at the pavilion in McIlvoy Park. Planners have encouraged those decorating parade floats to match the theme to earn extra points in the contest.

A representative from the float must be present to claim the award. Unclaimed awards will be moved to the information booth on Upham Street, where a representative can claim them until 4 p.m. on Sept. 8.

For more information on parade rules and float specifications, select the “Parade” tab on the festival site.