The annual festival showcasing Belleville’s best in attractions, entertainment and food kicks-off along the waterfront Thursday. 

The 32nd annual Belleville Waterfront and Ethnic Festival features four days of fun for the entire family at West Zwick’s Park.

Belleville and District Chamber of Commerce Special Event Coordinator Susan Walsh said organizers are hoping to attract more than the 40,000 visitors that came last year.

“Once you come through those gates, there is no charge,” she said adding that food, vendor merchandise, the midway, parasailing and helicopters rides are the only additional fees for visitors.

“Other than that, every single thing in this park is free.  So it’s a very affordable thing for everybody.”

On-site parking is $5 per day. 

“We consider it a donation because that money goes right back in to the community for different youth charities.”

The World’s Finest Shows midway features new rides and popular ones such as the Dizzy Dragon, the Fun Slide and the ferris wheel. 

The Ethnic Food Village runs all four days, including a selection of cuisine from Barbados, Germany, Greece, Holland, India, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Portugal and Tibet.

The Lion’s Pavilion mainstage features four nights of concerts.  Cool 100 and Lonestar Texas Grill in Belleville present Country Night featuring Prince Edward County country duo Instant Rivalry Friday at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Canadian Country Music Association Rising Star Madeline Merlo at 10 p.m.

The City of Belleville is offering free shuttle buses from the Pinnacle Street Terminal in downtown Belleville and the fairgrounds at the intersection of Sidney and Bridge Streets. 

Both shuttles run Thursday from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Walsh said the shuttles will run as often as needed, with visitors being asked to be patient with busy city traffic and construction.

“Hopefully the construction on Dundas Street won’t be a huge issue for people,” she said.  “We just want people to stay in their cars, be patient and keep a smile on their face because we can promise you’re going to have a great time when you get here.”

The festival kicks-off with the midway opening Thursday at 4 p.m.  Discount bracelets are available on-site for $22 Thursday only.

The festival was named one of Festivals and Events Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals for the second year in a row in March.

To learn more, visit http://www.bellevillewaterfrontfestival.com, like the Belleville Waterfront & Ethnic Festival on Facebook, follow @Blv_Waterfront on Twitter and use the hashtag #WF2016.

Mark Philbin and Ingrid Moore from the 95.5 Hits FM morning show spoke with chamber Chief Executive Officer Bill Saunders about the festival.