The eighth annual Taste of Suffolk is returning this weekend, and organizers are hoping the weather cooperates to allow the food, entertainment, activities and vendors to swarm downtown.

“We are only thinking about blue skies,” said Emily Upton, special events coordinator for the Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation. “It’s rain or shine, but if the weather causes safety issues to the citizens, we would have to cancel.”

Barring rain, however, about 20 Suffolk eateries are set to offer samples of their best cuisine on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. While the event is free, most of the samples go for a small charge, usually between $2 to $4.

A hot wing eating contest and other food-related contests also will take place. Folks hoping to test their stomach can sign up at the contest tent on the day of the event.

Other special activities will include a petting zoo, a rock wall, face painters and clowns. Bounce houses, the Fire Safety House and a recycled craft activity will also be available.

“We have an expanded kids’ area this year, and we took it out of the parking lot and moved it to West Washington Street to bring people around that corner and show them all the construction going on, the expansion of downtown,” Upton said.

A new car exhibition will take place, and nearly four dozen vendors will be on site to offer wares and information to visitors.

A DJ will provide entertainment all day long, along with performance groups including the Peanut City Cloggers, Dynamic Movements, East Suffolk Steppers and Ambassadors for Christ on the family stage. On the main stage, bands Slightly Under Parr, Wesley Spangler and Hotcakes will perform at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.

Upton said the event is poised to be the best Taste of Suffolk yet, provided the weather holds out.

“Everyone’s looking forward to a great day,” she said.

Free parking surrounding the site is on Saratoga Street, the First Baptist Church parking lot, the Godwin Courts Building lot and the Prentis Street lot. Road closures will be at North Main Street from Finney Avenue to Fayette Street, Oakdale Terrace, Freemason Street and Finney Avenue, Washington Street from Commerce Street to Saratoga Street and Bank Street to Commerce Street. The roads will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information about Taste of Suffolk, visit www.suffolkva.us/TasteofSuffolk, call 514-7250 or email eupton@suffolkva.us.