New Castle’s 18th annual Fireworks Festival will include new activities and old favorites.

Saturday’s event, which begins at 3 p.m. along the Columbus Innerbelt, will climax with a 10 p.m. fireworks display by Zambelli Internationale.

Rock wall climbing and EuroBungee jumping, provided by Keystone Sojourns of Ellwood City, will be available from 3 p.m. to dusk.

The 24-foot-high rock wall unit contains four climbing surfaces. The bungee unit, providing 20 feet of air, can accommodate two jumpers at the same time.

Mechanical bull riding is returning by popular demand.

New this year will be children’s pony rides, available from 4 to 7 p.m. Other amusement rides for children, offered from 3 to 10 p.m., include a Mickey Mouse bouncer/slide, a giant slide and a trackless train.

The Lego Building Contest, sponsored by the Lawrence County Builders Association, will make its initial appearance at the festival. Awards will be presented to the winners in each age category.

There is no charge to participate, but pre-registration is requested by calling (724) 658-4432. Children not pre-registered will be allowed to participate if seats are available. The schedule is:

•Ages 4, 5 and 6 — registration begins at 2:30 p.m., Lego building at 3 p.m.

•Ages 7, 8 and 9 — registration at 4:15 p.m., building at 4:45 p.m.

•Ages 10, 11 and 12 — registration at 6 p.m., building at 6:30 p.m.

Various free activities will be available in the children’s tent. Among them are bracelet making, hair painting and bean bag toss.

Also new this year will be T-shirt coloring, sponsored by Zambelli Internationale. It will be offered from 3 to 8 p.m. in the children’s tent, with free T-shirts, as long as supplies last.

Outside the children’s tent will be fingerprinting by the New Castle Police Department and a burn house, presented by the city’s fire department.

The 2009 fireworks festival is being coordinated by the Lawrence County Tourist Promotion Agency. Major sponsors include Bedford Developments, Giant Eagle and Zambelli Internationale Fireworks Co.