The community spoke out, and the organizers of De Soto Days listened: The annual festival will return to Labor Day weekend this year.

“We heard a lot of feedback last summer from people saying that as much as they enjoyed the festival, they would like to see De Soto Days go back to being over Labor Day weekend, so that’s what we worked hard to do,” said De Soto Days co-chair Alesa Miller.

Here are some highlights:

• The parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, will be a mix of the old and the new this year as the route has changed to begin and end at Riverfest Park while still making the traditional pass through downtown.

• The De Soto Youth Ministries’ third annual 5/10K run/walk kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday, accompanied by a pancake breakfast. “Anyone and any family can truly participate in this race,” said DSYM co-founder Donna Wilting. “We even allow strollers.”

• A community church service, led by Pastor Jan Justice of De Soto Methodist church, will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday with a community potluck lunch to follow.

• In addition to the standard carnival entertainment, the festival also has a local variety show in the works and a new gaming company, Games2U Mobile Entertainment, that will provide mobile video games and the opportunity to climb in a person-size hamster ball.

• This year’s festival also offers a wide selection of live music each night. “We’ve got everything from classic country and cover bands to red dirt country to classic rock and roll,” said entertainment chairman Doc Hougham.

View the full schedule at desotodays.com. Parking and admission to Riverfest Park are free.