Preparations are in full swing for the 30th annual Ancaster Heritage Days, June 8-15.

A new Web site is available for more information at www.ancasterheritagedays.com.

Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson, part of the Heritage Days committee, said a new soap box derby event is planned to run along Wilson Street, from Halson to Church Streets. The event is slated for Saturday, June 14, immediately following the Heritage Days parade.

"We're hoping to have a few entries in that," Mr. Ferguson noted.

Other highlights include the 25th annual Ancaster Old Mill Race that is anticipated to attract more than 1,500 runners. Heritage Days also includes a strawberry social organized by the Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre, the Fieldcote SoirÈe, the Ancaster Youth Activity Council's battle of the bands, youth activities at Kids World, car shows, barbecues, a pancake breakfast and more.

Once again this year, Mr. Ferguson and a representative from the Heritage Days committee will visit local schools to promote a youth essay and drawing contest.

Last year, the committee awarded prizes for the best essays or drawings about Heritage Days or Ancaster's Heritage to school children across town.

"It really is embedding in the young people Ancaster's heritage," Mr. Ferguson said.