The event will include music acts of all genres performing on eight stages; dozens of food vendors with all manner of fried, grilled and sweet creations; and a slew of activities, from a hot-dog eating competition to a contest for adorable babies. 

Earlier this year, Celebration board members were faced with a challenge following the resignation of Lori Sturgill, the event's longtime producer. Organizers vowed to keep the event going, seeking financial support from businesses that banded together to keep the party going. This weekend, thousands of people will converge on downtown Decatur to enjoy the fruits of those efforts. 

Here's an overview of what you can expect. 

How much are wristbands? 

Wristbands cost $15 at the gate. They were $10 in advance, up until Thursday. Children 12 and under get in free. 

How do I get in? 

Gates are at:

• East North Street, near the Decatur Civic Center
• East William Street, near the post office
• East Main and South Franklin streets
• Merchant and East Main streets
• East North Street, near North Water Street

Here's a map of the festival:

Where do I park? 

Click here for a list of nearby parking lots, how much they cost and where the money goes 

What's the weather forecast? 

Good news: No rain, according to the National Weather Service at Lincoln. The agency predicts sunny days with high temperatures in the 80s Friday through Sunday. In the evening, the low temperature drops to the 60s all three days. 

What food is new this year?

This year's new foods include:

• Beer Battered Wisconsin Cheese Curds, available on William Street
• Twisted Tacos, which can include lobster, steak, chicken/bacon ranch and buffalo seasoning, will be at the north end of Franklin Street  
• Gourmet Popcorn on South Park Street
• Brisket Mac 'N Cheese, Brisket Bacon Shrimp Sandwich, Deep-Fried Bacon-Wrapped Ribs and Honey-Ginger Rib Tips will be on North Street near the Scream Haunted House
• BLTs, Cannolis and Brisket will be on Franklin Street
• Turkey Burgers on North Park Street

Click here to read about the Herald & Review's taste test of new foods

Hungry on a budget? Here are 14 food items you can buy for $5 or less

Who are the headliners? 

On Friday night, hard rock band Head East will perform at 9 p.m. on the Show Stage, at Franklin and Eldorado streets. Grammy-winning R&B group All-4-One will perform at 9 p.m. on the Funfest Stage, Prairie Avenue and Franklin Street. Contemporary Christian band PJae & Living Sacrifice will perform at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the Christian Stage, Main and Water streets. 

On Saturday night, country artist Clay Walker will perform at 9:30 p.m. on the Show Stage. Alternative rock band Sponge will be on the Funfest Stage. Irish worship band We Are Messengers will headline the Christian Stage at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. 

The final night of the festival will include chart-topping country band Sawyer Brown at 8:15 p.m. on the Show Stage. Bruno Mars tribute band Earth to Mars will headline the Funfest Stage at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Contemporary Christian band I Am They will perform at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the Christian Stage. 

Battle of the Bands will take place all three days at two stages at North and Water streets. 

Here's the full schedule: 

What about other activities? 

Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m. Friday.

The Kid's Block, with an entrance on South Park Street across from Central Park, includes games, activities and contests for kids 12 and younger. 

The Razzle Dazzle Goodtimes Parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday. Anyone without a wristband can still watch the parade, as its route includes Main Street, outside the fence line. 

The Awesome Squad, a popular, high-energy music group appealing to children, performs at 11:15 a.m. Saturday on the Central Park Stage. 

The famous Heinkel's Hot Dog Eating Competition is at 3 p.m. Saturday on the Funfest Stage. 

From 2:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday,  Gyro King owner Chris Droukas will be making a 34-foot gyro on Franklin Street. 

The Adorable Baby Contest is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on the Central Park Stage. 

The Illinois Festival Pageants start at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Decatur Civic Center and include a queen, junior miss, preteen and princess pageant. Admission is $7.

What are the official hours? 

Celebration runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday. The festival opens at 11 a.m. Saturday, following the 10 a.m. parade, and closes at 11 p.m. On Sunday, it is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

What visitor services are available, and where are they? 

Free ice water is provided by Richland Community College on South Park Street near South Franklin. 

You can get a free phone charge at the Decatur Computers Charging Station in Central Park. 

At the Family Oasis, presented by St. Paul's Lutheran Church, there is a diaper-changing station and an air-conditioned area for nursing mothers. All ages are also welcome to rest under the shaded seating area. The area is located near the Christian Stage, on the west side of Busey Bank and the Kids Block area. 

Giant cooling fans are at North Franklin Street near the civic center, William and State streets, and South Park and Water streets. 

First aid is available from Decatur Ambulance Service next to the Decatur Civic Center and the entrance to Kids Block. 

The lost and found is in front of the civic center. 

Large maps and state schedules will be placed at each intersection. 

DECATUR CELEBRATION DAY ONE PHOTOS