NORTH ATTLEBORO - Even if summer weather has been slow to arrive this year, summertime fun will arrive right on schedule at the kickoff of the 29th annual Kids Day event at Mason Field in July.

The event, held by the North Attleboro Firefighters Kids Day Association and featuring everything from carnival rides and games, to two nights of fireworks to plenty of entertainment from local and nationally known bands, will be held from July 9 through July 12.

As always, admission to the event is free, though there are charges for the games and rides provided by Fiesta Shows.

Many of the traditional favorite activities will be back again this year, including the classic car show at Cruise Night July 9, featuring radio personality Cruisin' Bruce Palmer. The fire truck parade will be held July 11, while a five-kilometer road race will be held July 12.

Also back again this year are two nights of fireworks. A teaser fireworks show will be held July 10, with the gala fireworks show, both put on by Atlas Pyrotechnics, held on July 11. Ever popular Radio Disney will also be back at the event, as will family magicians.

Visitors can ride all the rides they want from either noon to 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 9 by purchasing a $16 wristband. To ride during both time periods two wristbands must be purchased.

On July 10-12, wristbands can also be purchased giving visitors a chance to enjoy the rides from noon to 4 p.m. After 4, tickets must be purchased at regular prices to continue the fun.

Entertainment wise, performances will kick off with DK's Full House, which celebrates the music of the J. Geils Band with former member Danny Klein. Several local bands, including Treelyne, Fevah Dream and Fear Liston also round out the schedule.

For the first time this year, local singers will be able to compete in the Kids Day Idol contest on July 12, with prizes going to the best performers as selected by a panel of local celebrity judges.

Alcohol, dogs, or pets of any kind and bicycles are prohibited from the event. Also, the North Attleboro dog shelter asks that dogs not be brought to the fire truck parade.

Fire trucks in the parade will line up at the North Attleboro Middle School parking lot on Landry Ave at 10 a.m. on July 11. Trucks will leave the parking lot 11 a.m., take a left on Landry Avenue and travel along Mount Hope Street to Elmwood Street across Route 1 onto North Washington Street onto Elm Street and on to Mason Field.

In addition, the 2009 Ashworth Awards Kids Day Road Road, including a quarter-mile fun run, a half-mile fun run and five-kilometer road race will be held July 12. Registration for the event, which will be held at the Falls School, begins at 7:30 a.m.. The racing starts with the Kids Fun Run, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Registration for the kids races are free and all finishers receive a medal.

There will be some street closings due the event. Once the schedule for street closings is finalized, a list will be publicized. The North Attleboro Firefighters Kids Day Association wants to remind residents that the organization will never directly contact a family, household or business seeking a donation. Anyone who would like to make a donation can call the association at 508-643-7444 or write to North Attleboro Firefighters Kids Day Association, P.O. Box 3215, North Attleboro MA, 02761

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.