ESCONDIDO -- It's that time again, time for Escondido to celebrate its cultural heritage centered around the grape.

Sponsored by the Escondido Historical Society, the Grape Day Festival on Saturday will include diverse entertainment, food, activities and a morning parade.

"Our goal for having so many different things is that you can come and stay the whole day," said Wendy Barker, executive director of the historical society.

The festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Grape Day Park. A parade will sweep down Grand Avenue, beginning at 10 a.m. at the corner of Grand and Escondido avenues.

The parade will feature over 30 entries including marching bands, vintage vehicles and floats portraying this year's theme, "Grape Day Goes to the Movies." Signature Theatres, which is expected to open here in November, will give out over 400 movie posters.

The festival will include over 100 booths including displays by community groups, arts and crafts vendors, a country store bake sale, and other commercial sellers. An international foods court, a fun zone, petting zoo, entertainment stages and other activities will grace the all-day festival.

"It's hard to find things for families that are fun and also educational, that's what Grape Day is," Barker said. "It's definitely a family event but [there are] also things for adults."

One of the most popular events is the grape stomp when people climb into a large wine vat to squish the fruit with their bare feet, she said. Festival goers can also eat homemade grape pies, taste a variety of locally produced wines and nibble on free grapes.

Dating back to 1908, the annual event was once more of a country fair that celebrated the area's agricultural heritage. Grape cultivation was the livelihood of most local residents for many years and Grape Day was held during harvest time. Special excursion trains and buggies brought people up from San Diego.

According to Barker, people still come as far as Los Angeles to partake in the historical celebration.

"If they live here, they will see friends and neighbors," Barker said. "If they don't, they will get a sense of our community today and our community's history."

On display this year will be a quilt donated by a local farmer named J. Paul Hatch who died in 1964. The quilt is made up of 407 ribbons from various agricultural contests he won over the years at the festival.

Historical tours will also be given of Escondido's barn, Bandy Blacksmith Shop, train depot, and old freight room. Local singer Roland Garza, Jr., 19, will be back to entertain with his Latin band that, organizers say, has increased the crowd the last three years.

"I love playing to the crowd and making them part of the show," Garza said. "When people enjoy it, it's the ultimate thing."

With free entertainment, giveaways and a variety of vendors, event planners say the festival is one that everyone can take part in.

"You can come and spend no money or you can come and spend a lot," Barker said.

Some of the new attractions this year will be laser tag, swing dancing and a light bulb and lamp giveaway.

In an effort to reduce energy use, SDG&E will give away energy efficient light bulbs and lamps in exchange for old ones. Escondido residents can receive up to 10 compact fluorescent light bulbs in exchange for each incandescent bulb 75 watts or higher, and up to two florescent torchiere lamps in exchange for each halogen torchiere lamp.

The Escondido Historical Society encourages people to come for the parade and stay for the day.

"It's a wonderful place to reconnect with our community," Barker said.

Contact staff writer Adrienne A. Aguirre at aaguirre@nctimes.com or (760) 740-3526