Live bands, family-friendly attractions and an exhilarating fireworks display will highlight Liberty Fest, which kicks off its 21st year at 5 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Park in Canton, adjacent to the Canton Administration Building.

"It's our largest community event that we host each year," said Peg Stevens from Canton's Leisure Services department, which organizes the event. "It really puts an emphasis on things to do for the family."

Among the family-friendly activities are a carnival, midway games and two stages of live entertainment throughout the three-day event.

For older crowds, an adult beverage tent will be open each day during the festival, Stevens said.

Thursday will offer a sneak peek of the festival with a half-day of festivities from 5-10 p.m., including a set by the self-proclaimed "America's cover band," Fifty Amp Fuse from Detroit, which takes the Canton LIVE! Stage at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, on the Heritage Park Amphitheater stage, a free Zumba event will be offered for visitors.

On Friday, the festival runs from 1-11 p.m., offering Kids' Night from 5-8 p.m. with fun activities for younger visitors, including caricature drawings, interactive art projects, "squirt gun art" and the kickoff of Canton Public Library's Summer Reading program.

"There will be a lot of fun things for kids to do," Stevens said.

Another unique attraction Friday is the Deep Fried Pickle Project, a jug band, which will help children make and perform musical instruments created from everyday items, Stevens said. Children will show off the instruments in a parade at 7:15 p.m.

Local singing phenom Dymond Harding will take the Canton LIVE! Stage at 6:30 p.m. and country-rock artists Annabelle Road will perform on the stage at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, festivities will run from 10 a.m.-11 p.m., highlighted by the Liberty Run, in which runners will try to set a Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Landmarks by dressing as Statues of Liberty. Runners can register at www.cantonlibertyrun.com. Four races are offered: A 5K, 10K, the world record attempt and a one-mile fun run.

Foodies can sample local tastes with the Taste of Canton, which will take place all day at the event Saturday.

Those looking for a global flavor can enjoy the International Festival on the Canton LIVE! Stage throughout the dya, featuring art, music and dance from different cultures, Stevens said.

SHOUT! — a Beatles tribute playing many of the Fab Four's early popular hits — will headline the amphitheater stage at 8 p.m., and the night will wrap with a fireworks display.

"There's not a bad seat in the entire park," Stevens said.

Stevens said Liberty Fest continues to show growth each year, and she said she is crossing her fingers for big crowds and cooperative weather this year.

"There's something for everyone, but a wide variety of family fun," she said. "It's just a great way to kick off your summer season. We're just very excited. It seems each year it gets bigger and better."

For a full list of events, refer to the attached PDFs.