Thanks to Montgomery CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), the ninth annual Kentlands Day parade on May 6 will return to its pre-2016 route, stepping off on Main Street. Last year’s parade was shorter, traversing Center Point Way from Whole Foods to the Potomac Village Deli parking lot.

“CERT will provide marshals so we will have a longer parade route,” said Jennifer Matheson who is organizing the event with Adam Greenberg of Potomac Village Deli. The parade will stage at 9 a.m. behind Main Street live-work units and commence at 10 a.m. down Main Street to loop around to Center Point Way, ending in the community festival location in Kentlands Market Square and the Potomac Village Deli/U.S. Post Office parking lots.

New attractions at the ninth annual event include a petting zoo with bunnies, ducks, chickens, guinea pigs, a Flemish giant rabbit and a teacup pig from Potomac-based Squeals on Wheels, as well as rides and inflatables like Human Billiards, Soccer Darts, and Mechanical Dizzy. The Boy Scouts will bring a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) table where kids can learn and play at the same time.

The always popular Taste of Kentlands will showcase many local restaurants. Look for Pasha Land, Asia Nine, Carmen’s Cart, Potomac Village Deli, Thai Tanium, Chick-fil-A and Whole Foods. More restaurants are anticipated.

Live music by FUSE—lead guitarist and Kentlands resident Devin Streight, vocalist Aidan Gross, bass guitarist Jacob Gemma, and drummer Liam Chen—will light up the community stage. Between music sets, community groups will perform and offer demonstrations. Doggie Zone, new to Kentlands Day, will offer a dog training demo.

Business fair participation is on track to surpass last year when 80 local businesses registered, Matheson said. New this year are Eye Care for Animals, Atar Designs, Kentlands Manor Care Plus, Solar City and Solar Energy World.

The Classic Car Show, sponsored and organized by Ourisman of Frederick and Bethesda, already has lots of cars coming, Matheson said. The People’s Choice Award will be given again this year.

Kentlands Day could not be held without support from its sponsors. Adventist Health Care, Central Roofing, Siding and Windows, and Morton’s Towing & Recovery are returning sponsors, this year joined by Kimco Realty, Vector Security, The McLean School, AAA, Hopkins & Porter Construction and Squeals on Wheels, Matheson said.

The City of Gaithersburg no longer supports Kentlands Day, due to the same-day scheduling of La Milla de Mayo. As a result, volunteers are very much needed. Most of the work involves setup and cleanup, Matheson said, and students can earn student service learning hours.

Kentlands Day is planned for Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, visit www.kentlandsday.org.