Each year the Chingawassa Days Steering Committee seeks to bring new events to delight and surprise festival-goers.

Coupled with activities that have become a mainstay with the festival, this year’s celebration is sure to please.

The 14th annual Chingawassa Days will be June 4, 5, and 6 in Marion’s Central Park.

The festival will be capped June 5 when local favorite and national recording artist 38 Special performs. The rock band was the headliner eight years ago and had remained one of the favorite bands of Chingawassa supporters.

The Marion National Bank barbecue will kick off the weekend celebration followed by an ice cream social. Timber Creek will perform bluegrass music prior to a performance by comedy stage hypnotist Brad Clark sponsored by Central National Bank.

Marion Kiwanis Club will serve pancakes the next morning. The Kid Zone, sponsored by Carlsons’ Grocery, will return to the park at no additional charge to patrons.

For the first time since 1997, the Marching Cobras from Kansas City, Mo., will perform. The group was a popular attraction more than a decade ago, with lively and unique dance routines.

Gospel and country singer Jake Schmidt will perform in the afternoon.

Classic Chingawassa favorites will be offered including a 5-kilometer and 2-mile fun run, horseshoe pitching tournament, poker run, bingo, Texas Hold’em, Scully Games, dodge ball tournament, chain saw art, rock-paper-scissors, and spam carving. New competitions include cell phone texting and sumo wrestling.

Opening acts for 38 Special on June 5 will be the band, Vegetable, featuring former Marion resident and Marion High School alum Oliver Good, and the band, Rain.

38 Special will take the stage at 9:15 p.m.

A community church service will be at 10:30 a.m. June 6 in the USD 408 Performing Arts Center, Marion.

Food concessions will be available.

Buttons for all activities during the two-day festival are $25 for adults through May 30. Buttons then will be $35. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free with an adult.

A Saturday day pass will be available for $6, allowing attendees to enter the park until 5 p.m. The pass does not include Friday activities or Saturday night’s concert. The pass will be available at the gate.

Buttons will be available next week at Marion National Bank, Tampa State Bank, Central National Bank in Marion and Hillsboro, Marion Health Mart Pharmacy, City of Marion office, Marion Chamber of Commerce, Western Associates, Carlsons’ Grocery, and G&J Video.