MOUNT JEWETT — Swedish Heritage will take center stage once again in Mount Jewett this weekend during the Swedish Festival set Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mount Jewett is gearing up for a weekend packed with music, food and community spirit. The festival will fill Center Street and surrounding venues with activities for all ages, honoring the town’s Scandinavian roots.

This year’s theme is Lördagsgodis, a tradition with a name that translates to “Saturday sweets.” The beloved Swedish custom aimed at preventing tooth decay encourages children to eat candy only on Saturday.

Festivities kick off Friday evening with the beer garden and Boy Scout Troop 410 food booth, both opening at 5 p.m. on Center Street. Next, visitors will want to head over to the opening ceremony at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church to catch the crowning of this year’s Swedish Festival royalty. Beginning at 6 p.m. vendors will be set up along Center and Main streets. Guests can test their aim by throwing axes like a real Viking, or get their likeness captured by caricature artist Eric Jones. From 6 to 9 p.m. guests will be awed by the Lief Ericson Viking ship, the Norseman, on the lawn of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. At 7 p.m. on the Center Street Stage, the coloring contest winners will be announced, followed by the Prince and Princess Contest at 7:30 p.m. Live music will fill the air during the Sirens Echo performance from 8 to 11 p.m. A dramatic Viking battle will take place from 9:30 until 10 p.m. in the Mount Jewett Firehall parking lot, while DJ Devo entertains guests inside from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. No one younger than 21 will be permitted after 9 p.m.

On Saturday, the fun begins early with the Swedish Festival Fundraiser Breakfast at the Mount Jewett Veterans Memorial Club from 8 a.m. to noon. Cookies and beverages will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Senior Center. The popular Maypole Dance will begin at 11 a.m. on the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn. Also at 11 a.m., Jones will begin working on his Viking ship sand sculpture in the Center Street Davis Lot. He will continue crafting this unique piece of art throughout the weekend.

Taste of Sweden will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Matthew’s, and the Swedish meatball contest is slated for the same time at the Heritage Park Gazebo. The Mount Jewett Fire Hall will once again host its popular chicken barbecue from noon until they are sold out.

Saturday will also feature unique activities such as the Steel City Mobile Mini Golf, an open house at Nebo Chapel, and a full lineup of live entertainment at the Center Street Stage. The Junior King and Queen contest will take place at noon on the stage. The McKean County Fair Queen and candidates will be on stage from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by performances by the 96th Highlander Pipes and Drums, then Jacob Corday at 2:30 p.m. and Jerry Cole at 3:50 p.m. The parade will make its way through the streets at 5 o’clock. There will also be a car show, touch-a-truck event, family crafts, an ice cream contest, and even horse rides with Triple Dream Horse Farm from 6 to 8 p.m at Mount Jewett Community Park. Little ones are sure to light up for the Kid’s Glow Party with DJ Scotti Smith held from 8 to 10 p.m. on the stage. Finally, the evening culminates with a 9 p.m. performance by Mojo Dogs at the Mount Jewett Fire Hall and a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. over Center Street.

Sunday’s schedule starts with the Kinzua Bridge Challenge beginning at 8 a.m. on Center Street. The Pet and Bike Parade will take place at 11 a.m. in the lower fire hall parking lot. The pet contest winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m. on the Center Street Stage. Guests are sure to be awed by the magical talent of Charlie the Jester during a noon performance on the stage. At 1 p.m., the Xplosion Cheer Cornhole Tournament will take place in the Mount Jewett Methodist Church parking lot. At 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., little ones are sure to love the PA Dinosaurs on the St. Matthew’s church lawn. From noon to 5 p.m., the Sun Dance Kids Farm petting zoo will be behind the Mount Jewett Memorial Library. Fred the Snake Man will perform in the firehall parking lot from 2 to 5:30 p.m. The Old Timers versus Youngsters Softball game will be held at 3 p.m. in the Mount Jewett Community Park. Guests will be entertained by Tyler Caulkins from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and the J.I.M. Band from 5 to 6 on the Center Street stage. Finally, the evening finishes with closing ceremonies slated for 6 o’clock on the stage. During the closing ceremonies, judges will announce the winners of the raffle, baby contest and Swedish meatball contest, and crown the Swedish Festival Teen Queen.

Throughout the weekend, local churches will also host worship services, with both Saturday and Sunday morning options. For a full schedule, check out the festival’s Facebook page.