The bright lights of Broadway are coming to the Lake Boren Park stage this September.

A cast of community members will dance and belt out tunes from various hit musicals in the hourlong “Broadway at Boren” spectacular 7 p.m. Sept. 11.

“It’s some singing, some dancing. Just a variety of whatever talent we happen to get,” said Wendy Kirchner, Newcastle community activities liaison.

“Broadway at Boren” represents the opening act of the city’s expanded 2015 Newcastle Days celebration.

Now stretched over two days, Newcastle Days kicks off with a community-produced show that, if successful, could lead to future Lake Boren Park productions, Kirchner said.

The city held auditions for the show at the end of July, compiling a group of talented multigenerational residents to take the stage.

Performers will use the rest of August and early September to rehearse for the show in space donated by the Seattle Revival Center, Kirchner said.

Immediately after “Broadway at Boren,” UC7, a five-piece classic rock cover band, will play from 8-9 p.m. Food vendors will be on site through both performances.

“It’s just a family-friendly night of music to get you excited for the next day,” Kirchner said.

Saturday, Sept. 12, is the main festival day, kicking off again this year with a 10:30 a.m. parade through Lake Boren Park.

The Hazen High School band, cheerleaders and drill team are already confirmed to appear, with bagpiper Neil Hubbard and local dance studios set to march again, too.

Since the festival falls the day after Sept. 11, Kirchner said she is also working to get local veterans to march in the parade.

The popular Newcastle Days car show also returns, this time expanded to include trucks. It goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but check-in is at 9 a.m. Print registration forms at http://bit.ly/1SXOfTi.

Pre-registration cost is $10 and includes a dash plaque and T-shirt. The price goes up to $15 on the day of the event. Lance Lambert, of “The Vintage Vehicle Show,” will again emcee.

One of the new attractions in 2015 is a Newcastle Days rain garden workshop. City staff member Angela Gallardo will teach attendees how rain gardens can absorb and filter stormwater, attract birds and pollinators, and keep streams clean.

Participants will also contribute to a permanent rain garden installation right in Lake Boren Park. The workshop is expected to occur in the morning, after the parade, Kirchner said.

As usual, various music acts will filter on and off the Lake Boren Park stage throughout the day.

Among the acts is The Lack Family, a group that Mayor Steve Buri met while on vacation. His family enjoyed the band so much, he asked them to perform at Newcastle Days.

“This is a family that several years ago, they decided they love music, they sold everything and they just tour around the world playing music,” Kirchner said.

Kirchner is also currently toying with an idea of brief open mic periods in between acts.

Several frequent Newcastle event food vendors are set to attend serving kettle corn, hot dogs, pizza and more. The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s beer and wine garden will also return.

The pony rides are back, but the petting zoo is not, as less sponsorship funds could not cover the cost this year, Kirchner said.

Waste Management is the event’s title sponsor, with support from The Golf Club at Newcastle, HomeStreet Bank, Aegis Living, the Coal Creek Family YMCA, the Newport Hills Animal Hospital, SolTerra and Tapatios Mexican Grill.

Check the Sept. 4 Newcastle News for a full schedule of Newcastle Days events.