More than 500 people are expected to turn out for this year’s Party in the Park taking place in Avent Park.

The event will be taking place on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon and is free for everyone. There will be games and activities for children.

The annual event is run by Project Homestead, a group of professionals from community organizations, including members of the city, county and university law enforcement and Oxford and Lafayette schools, who work with child abuse prevention and intervention.

Party in the Park kicks off National Volunteer Week festivities in Oxford this upcoming week.

This Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will a Ride for Veterans at Locals restaurant. A food drive for Good Food For Oxford Schools will be held at Wal-Mart starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday. All supplies donated will be given to students who grow gardens throughout the schools in town.

On Monday, there will be a garden work day at the Scott Center at 2 p.m. and the following day, there will be a food and clothes drive at the Oxford Community Market. Also that day, will be the LOU Reads Spring Book Drive. All materials can be dropped off at either the Lafayette or Oxford libraries, the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce or the Powerhouse.

Sinfully Southern and Bottletree Bakery will be selling goods at Barnard Hall to benefit Dignity Period Oxford on April 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

On April 27, the Lafayette County RSVP and Volunteer Oxford will sponsor a Nonprofit Leadership Recognition Breakfast at the organization’s former location on the Square. The breakfast is invite only and will thank those who give back to the area.

Concluding the week will be the fifth annual week Gospel Choir Showcase on Sunday, April 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. on the Square between city hall and Square Books Jr.