Fans of the annual Covington Days festival, a Seafair sanctioned event, will notice quite a few changes for the event which runs Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17.

First, the location of the festival has changed due to construction at the former home, Covington MultiCare. The health care organization has construction crews on the property building its new hospital facility set to open up in 2012.

Kent School District helped out organizers, the Covington Lions Club, by offering the use of Cedar Heights Middle School on Southeast 272nd Street east of 192nd Street Southeast.

Staging for the parade will be at Jenkins Creek Elementary, next to Home Depot, and the route will be between the elementary and middle schools.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. on July 16.

Among the featured performers will be musician and songwriter Mary Wiles, who will perform at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, at the middle school. Wiles will play original songs as well as popular classics such as “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and “Hot Rod Lincoln,” which features her skills on the harmonica. She plays six instruments: banjo, violin, harmonica, guitar mandolin and keyboards.

Additional parking will be available at Jenkins Creek Elementary as well as the lot behind Home Depot, according to information provided by the Lions Club.

Organizers said the event will be more expensive this year because they will need to rent a generator, pay for diesel fuel, purchase cable and electrical boxes, among other things.

Vendors can still apply for space at the festival and can do so at the Covington Days website.

Many of the festival events residents have come to know and love will still be available throughout the weekend including the pancake breakfast, art show, parade, carnival rides, the watermelon eating contest and more.