The summer, not one but two festivals will take place on the same day in the villages of Galena and Sunbury.

The third annual SummerFest will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 25 in downtown Galena and Ruffner Park and in Sunbury's Village Square.

The event is free and will feature more than 60 food, craft, art, business and nonprofit vendors, live music, a beer garden and a children's area

Event organizers have combined two festivals and will provide three shuttle buses to take participants back and forth between the festivals, meaning those who attend have to find parking at only one location.

Jane White, SummerFest chairwoman for Galena, said sharing the date for the festivals and the complimentary shuttle between the villages has helped to increase attendance at the event.

"Both festivals are very family-oriented, but have slightly different music offerings, making both events unique and appealing to a broad audience," she said.

They entertained more than 8,000 people last year, and organizers said they expect that number to increase this year.

A sampling of the children's activities at the festival include a caricature artist, face painting, a Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter landing, a balloon artist and Jack Cantley Chainsaw Artists.

Live blues music will begin at 1 p.m. in Galena with Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers. Other performers include Miss Lisa and Company, Hurricane Jerry and Stormfront, and the Sean Carney Band.

White said all the performers are International Blues Challenge competitors and the Sean Carney Band won the 2007 challenge.

In the KidZone Stage area, a block away from the Galena square, live entertainment starts at 12:30 p.m. with Annie's Jam Band, followed by the Shazzbots and the Ohio Youth Entertainers Stage Show.

A beer garden will enable visitors to purchase refreshments and walk around the festival.

Galena Mayor Thomas Hopper will lead three hayride tours throughout the day. The tours will feature historical highlights as well as some of Galena's parks.

A number of restaurants will be open in Galena, and some of the restaurants will have separate vendors in the square.

For more information about the festival, call Jane White at Mudflats Bar and Grill at 740-965-5700 or email her at jane@themudflats.com.