If people at Baker University think they have a parking problem already, they’re going to wish they had a handicapped parking pass this weekend.

With the celebration of 50 years of the Maple Leaf Festival coinciding with Baker’s sesquicentennial, thousands of people will flock to Baldwin City to see just what the festival is all about. On top of that, Baker will induct Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy into the athletic hall of fame Saturday, leaving the Harter Union parking lot reserved for his family, friends and media.

Nancy Brown, who serves on the Maple Leaf parking committee, said parking will be prohibited on Eighth Street between Chapel and Indiana streets from 5 p.m. today until 5 p.m. Sunday.

“I want to emphasize my appreciation of the involvement of the Baker community and students in making this a safe, enjoyable and pleasant environment for our visitors and guests,” Brown said.

Donna Curran, chair of the Maple Leaf Festival committee, said she hopes for a good turnout this year.

“We usually have around 25,000 people attend, but that’s just an estimate,” she said. “Obviously, last year was a bad year because of the weather, but we’re hoping for better attendance this year.”

Curran said one change to this year’s celebration includes the banning of pets during the festival. During last year’s festival, a 7-year-old girl was bitten on the face and arm by a mixed-breed dog.

“The city passed an ordinance banning any animals that aren’t service animals, part of the parade or part of the petting zoo,” she said.

Assistant Director of Human Resources Connie Deel, who is in charge of Baker’s contribution to festival, said a street dance Saturday night is one addition to this year’s celebration. The 11-piece band Four Fried Chickens and a Coke will be performing from 7 to 11 p.m. between Sixth and Seventh streets on Grove Street.

“Four of the members are affiliated with Baker,” she said. “I think they’re excited to do something for the school they went to.”

Sheri Caldwell, chair of the parade committee, said the parade will have added features like floats with previous grand marshals and previous queens from the Maple Leaf Pageant.

Diane Wagner, who is one of the people in charge of organizing booths, said some new vendors will be present during the festival.

“We tried to cut back and limit the number of jewelry booths because it seems like everyone wants to sell jewelry,” she said. “We have more art booths than craft booths this year.”