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If one took a general poll, food would definitely round out the Top 3 Reasons People Love Hope Heritage Days.

The one constant in life may be change, but even change can be delicious.

“The Hope Moravian Church used to do homemade donuts,” says Hope resident Lisa Webster. “We did the whole process in our booth from making the dough to frying the donuts and even glazing them.”

Though the sweet process was set aside some years ago, Webster says her favorite things about Heritage Days remain the food and seeing friends.

Likewise, Yellow Trail Museum Board Treasurer Kathie Clouse, who is currently in her seventh year as part of the nonprofit’s board, says she always enjoys the variety foods offered by area nonprofits – especially the Moravian booth of sugar cakes, fudge and goodies, she says.

“[And there’s] the overall atmosphere,” Webster adds. “The idea that our little town can come together to pull off such an amazing weekend… It takes a lot of planning and hardworking folks to accomplish this.”

The opening of the 57^th Annual Hope Heritage Days is a little more than 24 hours away and the excitement for opening evening is palpable as you walk about the Square downtown.

Anticipation is building not only for the return of treats to tantalize the tastebuds, but the incredible entertainment scheduled to rock the streets of downtown Hope as the community welcomes thousands to experience Heritage Days.

Booths open at 3 p.m. Friday according to the event’s schedule available online HERE.

The weekend’s schedule of events and offerings will follow that of previous years with the WYGS Gospel Sing featuring The Guardians at 6 p.m. Friday at the Hauser High School gym. Meanwhile, up the street on the Square Vinyl Escape will take the bandstand at 6 p.m. followed by Wyatt Massingille at 8:30 p.m. performing to close of the first night at 10 p.m.

From the Dr. Hope Medicine Show at noon Saturday to the many demonstrations and shows set to appear on the bandstand throughout the day there’s also an opportunity for those with a competitive spirit and a good arm.

Those who can throw a horseshoe are encourage to come flex their skills at a 10 a.m. tournament behind the old Fire Department. A $5 entry fee gets you in.

Of course, weather permitting, fireworks will close out Saturday’s festivities at 9:30 p.m.

Booths open at 9 a.m. Sunday as everyone gathers for the final day that will offer musical performances by Cotton Patch at 12 p.m. and The Creekers at 3:30 p.m. and the much-anticipated parade headed up by Grand Marshal the Yellow Trail Museum at 2:30 p.m. Closing prayer at the bandstand at 5 p.m. will mark the festival’s official close.

Local resident Bill Johnson says what makes Heritage Days special for him are the satellite events, large and small, simultaneously taking place across the area that weekend that bring people back to Hope each year.

“Many class and family reunions take place over the weekend, allowing many old friends to be reunited,” Johnson says. “I think having this one weekend where everyone tries to make it to Hope is very special.”