EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – It only took three years, but Excelsior Springs’ largest celebration finally returns June 24 and 25.

Opening at 2 p.m. June 24 on Broadway in downtown Excelsior, Waterfest brings back almost 100 vendors, a quilt show, a car show, two stages of free live music, fun and games for the children, a beer tent, historic trolley tours and more.

A fireworks display will be shot around 10 p.m. June 24 from Siloam Mountain Park, with the night of June 25 as the rain date.

The Opal Wapoo Gravel Experience, a bike race, will take place the morning of June 25, with the race beginning at Excelsior’s Memorial Airport.

Free entertainment includes 11 bands on two stages featuring all varieties of music.

The first Waterfest cornhole tournament will give competitors an opportunity to win cash prizes and a special commemorative set of Waterfest boards.

The Waterfest parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. June 25. The route lines up near The Elms Hotel and Spa, travels to Marietta Street, where it meets Broadway, turns to Thompson Avenue and ends near Concourse Avenue.

For all the details, visit ESWaterfest.com, or look for the official Waterfest Event Guide in next week’s Town & Country Leader, at the Chamber of Commerce office or at the festival.