Community involvement stands alone as the best way to build a region’s worth.
The Richfield Springs Pride Days takes place on July 26 and 27 at Spring Park on U.S. Route 20, and residents get another chance to add to the account.
“The beautiful part of the Pride Days is that it brings everyone together working for a common cause while having fun,” stated Jackie Hinckley, organizer, in an e-mail. “Proceeds from all the events go back to the Zone Youth & Community Center.”
The center is in the final stages of building a permanent home at the corner of Ann and Walnut streets.
It is slated for completion in September, and will be open to all youths enrolled in school from seventh to 12th grades. Additionally, many community events for all ages are hosted by the Zone.
The weekends festivities kick off Saturday with an all-you-can eat breakfast for $6.95 at the Tally Ho restaurant from 8 to 11 a.m. 
Village yard sales run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maps available at Kinney’s or Tally Ho.
A hot-dog eating contest begins at 12:30 p.m., with an entry fee of $10 for the competitive eating crowd.
There are two performances scheduled for entertainer Skip West, from 1 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m., which Hinckley endorsed, “...West is an incredible musician who mixes a wide variety of musical styles with kid-centered themes drawing everyone in to participat[e], that’s what makes him so much fun.”
A parade starts at 5:30 p.m. at Spring Park and heads east on Main Street, followed by an ice cream social with $2 sundaes at 6:30 p.m.
The evening comes to a close to the music of DJ Hot and Wild from 7 to 9 p.m.
Sunday starts at noon with a Brooks Chicken Barbecue at the Church of Christ Uniting, with a cost of $8 for a dinner and $5 for a half chicken.
 There is the Zoomobile running until 2 p.m., and a Chinese auction of more than 100 items, with the drawing beginning at 6 p.m.
The Richfield Springs “Idol” contest starts at 1 p.m., and there is a entry fee of $10 per participant. First prize is $100, second is $75, third is $50, and fourth is $25.
Both days feature rides and games from noon to 9 p.m., and a wide variety of food.
Advance sale ride tickets may be purchased at a discount at Anderson’s Hardware in Richfield Springs for $1 each in strips of 10. The cost the days of the event is $1.50 each. Rides take two tickets.