The Festival at Mount Si and Si View Parks have been inseparable since the party’s latest incarnation began five years ago.

But 2012’s party will see some big changes, thanks to Si View’s major playfield makeover that gets underway just as the festival arrives.

Parking, vendors and the festival layout will change. But the core identity, as a way for a town to come together and celebrate the best of North Bend, stays the same.

A construction fence went up last week for Si View’s field renovation Without the field to park in, the layout has transformed.

“We have to adapt the festival,” said committee president Jill Massengill.

“The reason we didn’t change the location is because we’ve had a mutually beneficial relationship with Si View Metro Parks District.”

Si View helps with planning, provides volunteers, and is generally an integral part of the festivities.

“We didn’t want to drop that because of the construction project,” Massengill said.

The Festival gives Si View Parks a chance to showcase what it does, to people who may never otherwise see the community center. In turn, it provides a spacious, scenic party venue.

In an era of “throwaway stadiums,” festival organizers stay here because they believe in safeguarding the local parks district’s 74-year legacy.

“The more successful their classes and the things that they offer, the better off the park does,” Massengill said. “It’s a beautiful organization. I’d like to see it stay that way.”

Massengill recognizes that people will use those new fields all year, versus the festival’s claims for a few days.

So, festival-goers will have to adapt—park somewhere new, stroll a few blocks, and explore their town a bit.

The stage will be in front of the main center building, facing it. The beer garden will be located in the brick turnaround area. The children’s area will be at the far end of the field.

Some events and vendors have changed, but many favorites are returning. Foremost among the new offerings is a children’s parade that precedes the main parade. Children will meet at Les Schwab Tire and proceed to the Dairy Freeze.

“Festival at Mount Si” was the new name given to North Bend’s community celebration five years ago. It’s part of a long line of town parties that reaches back to Alpine Days, which livened up North Bend summers for 40 years, and on to Jamboree Days even before then.

Massengill has been involved in the local festival for 11 years. She continues to stay involved because of the people who she’s met. An avid party planner, she finds abundant personal energy to plan this, the biggest party she’s ever handled. Massengill, like many of the volunteers who help put the event on, gets a sense of satisfaction from giving back and connecting with others.

“It’s important to celebrate with people in the community,” she said. “When we deal with flooding and storms and even deaths in our area, (we) come together and support each other in times of hardship. Let’s come together and celebrate good times too, so we can still know each other and are there for each other when the tough times come. It feels like a balance.”

• To learn more about the Festival, visit www.festivalatmtsi.org.