WHEELING — Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack welcomes the return of its second annual Eats and Beats Festival, taking place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.

This free, family-friendly event — held rain or shine — is open to the public and promises a full day of live music, food, games and community celebration.

“Hosting this festival is our way of bringing the community together at the end of summer one last time for a day of fun and entertainment,” said Kimberly Florence, president and general manager of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. “We had an incredible turnout for our Independence Day Fun Festival and are thrilled to build on that success with even more activities and excitement. We look forward to welcoming everyone.”

Event highlights include live entertainment featuring DJ Daner at 11 a.m. followed by performances by Whiskey Rider at 1:30 p.m., Tammy Jo & Iron Horse at 4 p.m. and the Gage Joseph Band at 6:30 p.m.

There will be more than 10 food trucks on site offering a wide variety of cuisine — from local favorites to classic American fare.

Guests of all ages are welcome, as the festivities include free carnival games, inflatables and interactive activities. Local vendor booths will showcase offerings from artisans and businesses throughout the region.

Inside Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, live racing starts at 1 p.m.

At the festival, a beer garden will be open to guests age 21 and over. An array of beverage options will be offered.

“This year has been challenging for our region, especially with the devastating floods that impacted so many families and businesses,” Florence said. “We hope this festival offers a moment of joy and connection for our community as we continue to recover and rebuild together.”

Guests can cap off the night with country rap star Colt Ford, who will be performing live in the Showroom at 9 p.m.

Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com or at the casino’s hotel front desk.

For more information and updates, visit Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack’s social media pages or website at www.wheelingisland.com.