If it’s the second weekend of June, then the Summer Festival is taking over Washington’s waterfront.

Yes, that means those who regularly walk, stroll or run along Stewart Parkway and the boardwalk might find more foot traffic during their journeys. That increased foot traffic means area residents and visitors are downtown — having fun, spending money and creating revenue for the city and county. Summer Festival also helps raise money to help support projects of the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, which plans and organizes the festival, one of Washington’s signature festivals.

Although presented before the official beginning of the summer season, the Summer Festival helps kick off the beginning of summer activities as the school year ends.

The festival, ready to enter its 32^nd year, is enjoyed by thousands, many of whom do not realize the planning it takes to bring off the weekend of events, activities and, of course, festival food. As soon as one Summer Festival ends, planning for the next Summer Festival begins. Chamber officials and scores of volunteers spend months recruiting vendors, signing up entertainers such as The Embers (featuring Washington’s own Craig Woolard) and arranging for fireworks.

Some of the festival’s activities and events come with a price, but many do not. That’s great for those whose have suffered from an ailing economy in recent years.

Several years ago, a movement to return the festival to its roots began. That movement continues — less reliance on commercial vendors and a larger presence by area churches, nonprofits and civic groups when it comes to providing festival food. As we have said before, “It’s much better for a local resident’s money spent on two cheeseburgers, a large lemonade and two scoops of homemade banana ice cream to go toward a local civic club’s scholarship program that benefits area students than to pay travel costs for a leather-goods vendor to set up shop in the city for two days.”

Enjoy the festival this weekend, but keep in mind the hard work of those who make it possible for the Summer Festival to return every year.