Bryan Maurice, left, and Cody Teeple set up the new Raider ride for the Friendship Festival, which runs Friday until Tuesday.

The phones at the Friendship Festival's Dufferin Street office were ringing off the hook this past week in advance of the 22nd annual Binational Friendship Festival.

Live music, a midway, buskers and beer return to Mather Arch this weekend for the 2008 celebrations.

This year's line-up offers old favourites and some fresh new surprises in a wide variety of events and activities taking place during the festival, which runs Saturday through Tuesday.

"We're trying to get back to the heritage of the area," said Flo Odding, festival manager.

Continuing with the emphasis of heritage, new is Legacy of Peace days (June 28-30), which includes Canadian Multicultural Day at St. Paul's Anglican Church, a cannon demo from the War of 1812, soldiers and more. Also new this year, 17 artists from Heritage Arts Fort Erie will be painting and sculpting at the site along the Niagara River.

There will be fresh fruit, vegetables and meat from vendors from area markets, including the new Ridgeway Farmers Market Monday morning.

Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman will take the OLG stage Monday night and local acts will rock the daytime licensed patio.

The Kidz Zone includes magic shows, a craft area, face painting and more while adults can enjoy street performers, antique vehicles and unique crafts.

So how do all of these acts end up in Fort Erie?

"I search online for people who do odd things and call them up," said event co-ordinator Sandy Pedersen.

Spread out over five acres of Niagara Parks Commission waterfront land and capped by the fun and fireworks of July 1 Canada Day celebrations, Mather Arch is the focal point for activities on the Canadian side of the border that celebrate the friendship between Canada and the USA, which has continued through close to 200 years of peace.

Pedersen and Odding attribute volunteers, strong business partnerships and supportive local organizations as a key part of what allows for Fort Erie Festivals to continue to present the events in heritage, arts and entertainment year after year.

"There is no way we could run it -- or to pay everyone who actually makes it happen," said Odding.

Odding said the 2007 version of the festival has once again ranked in the top 100 of more than 3,000 events on a list compiled by Festivals and Events Ontario and Fort Erie Festivals

Odding said she intends to stay there with the 2008 festival.

Following Fort Erie events, the 22nd Annual Binational Friendship Festival continues across the river in Buffalo in Riverside Park, July 2-6. Program highlights and details are regularly updated at www.friendshipfestival.com. For more information, call the office at 905-871-6454.