A year after having to contend with the effects of a hurricane and an earthquake for its first annual Endless Summer Music Festival, the Mount Airy Rotary Club is once again bringing music back to the town next month.

More than 2,000 people are expected Aug. 18, according to Paul Mahata, president of the club.

“We hope it will be a successful [event],” he said.

Last year the festival was held Aug. 27, during the same week Hurricane Irene passed over Maryland and a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Virginia and was felt across the state.

“We had a tough start our first time out ... and we still managed to have it go off with out a hitch,” said Angie Taylor, festival chairwoman. “We are hoping that we can do better than [last year].”

The extreme weather caused crowds at the music festival to be smaller than previously anticipated, but organizers were able to raise about $10,000 to benefit Mount Airy students.

Proceeds from the festival, held at the Mount Airy Carnival Grounds at 1008 Twin Arch Road, fund four-year scholarships awarded by the rotary club. Taylor said the club gives at least one scholarship each year to a student at either South Carroll or Linganore high schools.

Taylor said she doesn’t expect bad weather for this year’s festival.

“I can promise there won’t be a hurricane, there won’t be an earthquake,” she said.

Nine bands will be featured during the event, including the Reisterstown Jazz Ensemble and Proverbs, a reggae group. Festival gates open at 10:30 a.m., with the first band going on at 11.

“I think [the festival] is going to be awesome. I think it’s going to rock the block,” Taylor said. “The bands are really good .... Every band is different and plays a different type of music.”

In addition to the music, adult attendees will be able to enjoy four types of wine from Linganore Winecellars in Mount Airy and beer from Bond’s Distributing Co., based in Baltimore, in the on-site beer and wine garden.

Taylor said the event is a great way to end the summer.

“We are trying to save the summer. ... It’s like our last big kickoff until we go back to school,” she said.

Children’s activities such as pony rides, a moon bounce, inflatable activities and face-painting provided by the South Carroll High School Boosters Club also will be available. Several local restaurants will sell food at the event, including Mama Angela’s Italian restaurant and pizzeria, and Olde Town Restaurant, both of Mount Airy. Thunder Ridge Kettle Corn also will sell kettle corn.

“[The festival] is just for family and friends to get together, listen to music and have a good time,” Mahata said.

Vendors will be on site, with about 10 in the activities building, selling everything from cupcakes to homemade soap. The festival also will feature a classic car and hot-rod show.

“There’s going to be a lot for people to do,” Taylor said.

myoung@gazette.net