In an effort to “bridge” together the various communities in the area, the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development and the Parkridge Summer Festival Committee will host a joint community day Saturday in Ypsilanti.

The 2012 Parkridge Summer Fest will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Parkridge Park, which is adjacent to the Perry Child Development Center and behind the Parkridge Community Center located at 591 Armstrong Dr. The event is free and open to all ages.

Last year, both organizers held separate events — the 2011 Parkridge Community Center Summer Fest and the Joe Dulin Community Day — on the same day and thought it made more sense to combine the two to try and help local residents tap into resources available in the county. Organizers also are hoping to bring awareness to the Community Center.

“It’s a partnership that makes sense,” said Tiffany Lucas, an OCED representative. “The Parkridge Community Center has been there for quite some time and offers resources that people might not have known are available."

Ypsilanti City Council Member Ricky Jefferson helped coordinate the event as a committee member. Jefferson said there has been quite a bit of anticipation throughout the community and he said the goal is to continue it every year.

“We’re trying to bring an event that will last and grow bigger each year,” Jefferson said.

Various nonprofit agencies and county departments will be on hand to provide free and low-cost programs and services including job training, home rehabilitation services and eviction prevention.

Jefferson said Ypsilanti Public School District Superintendent Dedrick Martin will speak around 2 p.m. to the crowd to address the potential consolidation of the Ypsilanti and Willow Run school districts.

"He's going to give us some insight in regards to the ballot and of the schools consolidating," he said.

The festival also will have live performances from local bands and a free car show.

Lucas said she's hopeful that by combining the events, more people will show up.

“In the past it’s been 800 people but we’re expecting between 1,200 and 1,500 people,” Lucas said.

While the event is geared toward adults, there will be some activities available for children such as face painting and pony rides.