A year after being forced to cancel the annual summer festival due to the pandemic, Sealybration returns this weekend with a full schedule set to kick off Friday, July 9. Sealybration organizers say they are prepared for record-setting crowds at Mark A. Chapman Park, located at 145 Lux Road.

Friday night, things get rolling with the mechanical bull and carnival at 6 p.m. as well as the Stars and Strikes Classic softball tournament at 6:30 p.m. on the little league fields. In the evening, a beanbag tournament, 1K Rookie Run and 5Alarm 5K run will go on while the jackpot margarita and chef’s choice competitions go on inside the W.E Community Hill Center.

As part of the Tejano Music Night Friday, D’kche will open for the headliner, Los Viejones De Linares, on the main stage. D’kche will start at 7:30 p.m. and Los Viejones De Linares take the stage at 10 p.m. Tickets to the VIP Tent for Friday night are $75.

On Saturday’s full agenda, after the gates open, the softball tournament continues at 8 a.m. before the bloody mary (9 a.m.) and jackpot pinto bean (10 a.m.) competitions start in the Hill Center. The carnival precedes chicken (noon), ribs (1:30 p.m.) and brisket (3 p.m.) competitions before the Gator Country Adventure Park’s – a popular recent addition – shows at 2 and 5 p.m. The gator wranglers will discuss some of their recent alligator rescue operations and typically have a small pool for little alligators to be put on display.

This year’s musical lineup for Saturday begins with Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws on the Main Stage from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by Hayden Haddock from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and William Beckham from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The Molly Ringwalds will hit the stage at 9:30 p.m. just after the fireworks display and before Tracy Lawrence closes things out from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Saturday night VIPs get late-night snacks, swag bags and VIP seating with an unobstructed view of the fireworks. VIP ticket holders get dinner, discounted drinks, two free drink tickets and private restrooms for VIPs only.

Sunday’s schedule includes softball tournament finals and the carnival.

Tickets can be purchased online at Stub wire (https://tinyurl.com/36u9kc6f). A combo ticket for the whole weekend is $35, or at the gate Friday night. Single-day adult tickets are $20, Children 5-12 are $10. For more information, visit Sealybration.sealycommunityfoundation.com.