The 26th annual CityFest, Aug.9, will boast more than 10 hours of live performances, a pool party, and a lantern parade, among many other attractions.

Initiated in 1984, CityFest has evolved from a small street fair into an event more than 150,000 people are expected to attend.

“It’s one thing to throw a street fair, which every neighborhood does. It’s another thing to throw a street fair that has meaning and celebrates who we are as a neighborhood,” said Benjamin Nichols, executive director of the Hillcrest Business Association, which organizes the event.

“Originally the festival was about the [Hillcrest] sign,” Nichols said. “When they put it up, they had a big party and they have kept it going.”

This year, the association has re-lit, re-painted and re-dedicated the sign, for which it pays maintenance and lighting costs.

CityFest has been struggling in the last few years. The last two years, the association has merely broken even, so this year it has included several new events to try to raise profits.

“I think this neighborhood is quite happy to look adversity in the face and contradict it,” Nichols said, describing how, even though CityFest is financially challenged, the Association includes as many community organizations as possible by giving away free and discounted booths as well as by helping organizations brainstorm fundraising ideas.

“We’ve tried as hard as we can to bring in neighborhood groups, either by giving away booths or by finding ways to raise money for these organizations that make up the spirit of Hillcrest,” Nichols said.

This year’s CityFest promises plenty of new attractions.

More than 30 vendors will provide food from different cultures around the world and the Spirit’s Beer Garden will provide 21-and-up revelers with beer and cocktails. The beer garden covers the area of University Avenue, between Fourth and Fifth avenues and offers the popular ‘Dunk a Drag Queen Dunk Tank,’ allowing partygoers to dunk hot guys, drag queens, and District 3 Rep. Todd Gloria. All proceeds from the dunk tank will benefit Mama’s Kitchen.

Also at CityFest are SD Pix and Babycakes, which will host their 2nd Annual Pool Party in front of the latter in the middle of Fifth Avenue between Robinson Street and Evans Place. The party will celebrate Babycakes’ first anniversary and provides a beach with cold beer and wine – or take a dip in the SD Pix pool. The party features a DJ spinning underground disco, a champagne bar and keg beer.

The Gay Rodeo will provide a mechanical bull for bull rides. Studley Hungwell, the bull, will be located in the California Bank & Trust parking lot on Fifth Avenue near Pennsylvania Street. Proceeds will benefit the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association.

This year, the Association is introducing a “Spirit of Hillcrest” to guide the festivities. The character, a large stilt walker, will lead event participants in the Lantern Parade at 8:30 p.m. at Fifth Avenue and Robinson Street to the Grand Stage under the Hillcrest sign.

“We’re trying to use [the re-lighting of the sign] as a metaphor for re-igniting the spirit of the neighborhood,” Nichols said.

The Association invites people to bring a lantern or make one at the CityFest Pavillion.

An Arts and Crafts Village will be open from noon to 8:30 p.m. and will feature an area for participants to fashion their own lanterns for the lantern parade. Around 9:30 p.m., once everyone is gathered at the historic Hillcrest sign, emcee Laura Jane will lead everyone in a count down to the re-lighting.

From noon until 9:30 p.m., live performances will rock CityFesters.

The band Knives! will kick off CityFest performances at the Grand Stage at noon. The band’s myspace page describes its music as being influenced by Big Beat, Thrash and Crunk music. Justin Cota plays the guitar and sings, while Lori Sokolowski plays the drums.

China Clippers takes the stage at 12:45 p.m. China Clippers describes itself as, “four guys got together to play rock and roll the way they like it because nobody else in town was.” China Clippers plays at the Ruby Room the first Monday of the month. The band’s myspace page describes its sound as “rock without the make up.” Its influences include British Invasion, Stax, Texas Boogie, British Blues, Psychedelic Rock, and ’70s Stoner Rock music.

“Good time” band Royal Campaign will rock the stage at 1:30 p.m. The band released its new record, Monuments of a Dead Century, through CD Baby in April.

F.U.Z.Z. will perform its blend of trip hop, fusion, and neo-soul music at 2:15 p.m. The North County Times praised the band’s latest album, saying, “Lead singer Mimi has a Billie Holiday-like singing voice – high and pure and almost brittle, yet heartbreakingly expressive. Bassist Elkin and drummer Lohan create an impressive palette of rhythmic backgrounds. The sound is filled out by Mimi’s keyboards, as well as guest musicians on sax and organ on a few tracks. But Elkin’s bass playing is so melodic, it’s enough with the drums and Mimi’s haunting vocals to more than create a full sound on those songs performed as a trio.”

The pop band Team Abraham, fronted by Abraham Nunez commands the Grand Stage at 3:15 p.m. The San Diego Reader describes the band as having a folk sound and as, “country-splashed and full of energy.”

Run Honey takes center stage at 4:35 p.m. The band’s myspace page cites influences such as Heart, Metallica, the Indigo Girls, Motley Crue and Queen.

“What rock band delivers looks, talent and brains?” Dave Wilson, producer and host of ‘The Dirty Dave Show,’ on KCLA FM, said. “This band has the potential, focus and drive to do many special things. They’re far more than what you’re expecting.”

Pau Hana will have CityFesters grooving to Hawaiian, Reggae and Roots Music at 5:55 p.m. Founded by Shannon Kaopua in 1992, “Pau Hana is more than a band, it’s about the music and the people willing to carry on the Pau Hana sound.”

CityFest’s emcee Laura Jane will lead her rock, blues, and soul band The Tighten ups as it performs at 7:15 p.m.

The Electronica, Breakbeat and Psychedelic-influenced band UBUV will conclude CityFest live performances at 8:30 p.m., “weaving live sitar, Chinese erhu and guitar over breakbeat, hip hop, dubstep and rock..”

Knives! noon to 12:30 p.m.

China Clippers 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Royal Campaign 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

F.U.Z.Z. 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Team Abraham 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Run Honey 4:35 p.m. to 5:35 p.m.

Pau Hana 5:55 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.

Tighten Ups 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

UBUV 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.