After an absence of a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning committee members for the Escalon Park Fete have announced they will be back in 2021.

Dates are in August, about a month later than usual, but the dates are set, nonetheless.

“Save the date,” committee member Paula Rocha said. “It’s going to happen. We’re back.”

The decision to move forward with Park Fete this summer was just made this past week, with the reopening of the state date fast approaching; June 15.

“We want people to know it’s happening,” Rocha said of the traditional city celebration.

Friday and Saturday, Aug. 6 and 7 will be the main festival dates, with a number of activities preceding it in the days before.

On the schedule, though with not all details finalized, are the Senior Mr. and Mrs. Luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 3; the Miss Escalon Pageant on Wednesday, Aug. 4; Little Miss and Mr. Escalon Pageant on Thursday, Aug. 5.

Friday, Aug. 6 will see the opening of the carnival rides and games, a variety of craft and merchandise booths and music on the Main Street Stage, kicking off at 4 p.m.

“Saturday, Aug. 7 we will have the parade for sure, along with the carnival, music, the booths, and food trucks,” Rocha said.

Also being planned are the traditional cornhole and horseshoe tournaments.

Rocha said though there is a short timeline to get things done, the festival might be a little smaller than normal. But, she said, the good news is there will be a Park Fete this year.

“We just want people to save those dates,” she reiterated. “We’re excited.”