GALION—Organizers hope the community has a “dilly” of a time at the city’s annual Pickle Run Festival.

This year’s event, slated for July 1-2 at Heise Park, promises a variety of fun-filled activities for the family, capped off by the traditional fireworks display July 2 at dusk behind the Galion Community Center-YMCA on Gill Avenue.

“Our Pickle Run Committee might be small, but we sure do a lot,” said festival chairman Sarah Capretta, now in her eighth year running the town’s Fourth of July celebration. “We appreciate all of the support we get year after year.”

Friday’s activities will kick off at 5 p.m. with a Rock Hunt where participants will try to solve riddles and uncover more than 100 rocks hidden around the park. “That’s a fun one to do,” Capretta said. “We’re excited to be bringing it back this year.”

A new event – GellyBall – is making its Pickle Run debut Friday. The revolutionary shooting game will have open play from 7 to 9 p.m. for five- through 13-year-olds, with a glow-in-the-dark version for older players from 9 to 11, Capretta said.

Games and inflatables will also be set up Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., with a variety of food vendors open from 5 to 10. The Heise Park pool, weather permitting, will also be open from 1 to 7 p.m.

Saturday’s Fourth of July activities will feature a craft show, classic car and cycle show, games, contests, and live music throughout the evening. The Galion History Center will also offer tours of the 1822 log cabin in the park from noon to 4 p.m.

The popular cornhole tournament is returning to Pickle Run this year, Capretta said. Saturday’s celebration will also include a Rotary Club duck derby at 11, a parade at 1, and a cake walk from 2 to 8 p.m. Food will be available from 11 to 11.

A Galion High School alumni softball game, 4-on-4 sand volleyball, and 3-on-3 basketball are also on tap Saturday, with pre-registration required. Two local groups – the Crazy Gringos and the Galion Community Band – will entertain from 5 to 9.

Pickle Run is still being dubbed “a community festival for the community,” Capretta said. “We appreciate all of our volunteers who commit year after year to help with these events. We definitely couldn’t do it without our volunteers.”

She said event registration, additional information, and schedule changes will be posted on the festival’s Facebook page.