Returning this weekend, local residents are invited to enjoy the All-American Bash, being put on through the efforts of the Oakdale Enrichment Society.

Events are free, though organizers said they are always grateful for donations and can still use some funds to help put on the various activities scheduled for Saturday afternoon and evening, June 29.

OES Vice President Cher Bairos noted, “We definitely need more dollars.”

The OES is a non-profit group, headed up by President Lisa Ballard with Bairos as VP, and Lupe Aguilera serving as treasurer. Also on the leadership team is communications director, Ami Poncabare. This year will be the sixth ‘Bash’ put on by the organization.

Donations can be made on the website, enrichoakdale.org; festivities will include a 5 p.m. parade, followed by food, games and music at Dorada Park, adjacent to the Plunge; and a unique choreographed drone show about 9:30 p.m., taking the place of fireworks.

The goal of the OES is to offer a fun, Independence Day-type celebration a little early, the weekend ahead of the traditional July 4 holiday.

New this year will be a pre-event Cornhole Tournament hosted at Dying Breed Brewing, starting with a 10 a.m. check in on Saturday. More information is available on the OES website.

The parade route is circular this year, with the patriotic entries lining up at Walnut and North First at about 4 p.m. and stepping off from there about 5 p.m. Entries then move on to Poplar, heading to the downtown area at North Third and then returning back to the starting point at Walnut and North First.

After the parade, the events at Dorada Park start with the National Anthem at 6 p.m., followed by the popular local band Weekend at Jimmy’s performing from 6:05 p.m. to 7:05 p.m.

Headliner Kristen Brown – from the TV show The Voice – is scheduled to perform from 7:35 p.m. to 9:25 p.m., with the Drone Show taking to the skies over the park about 9:30 p.m.

A special grant from the Valley Air District is being utilized to put on the aerial display by the drones; all other activities are financed through the OES.

“Our community events are made possible only through the generosity of our volunteers and donors,” the OES website notes, in seeking donations to help defray costs.