It looks like Heritage Days will be returning this year after a rain-soaked and short-staffed 2011.

This year’s theme: Industries Then and Now.

“I’m pleased with the turnout so far,” said Heritage Days Committee Chair Bobbi Gaspar of Monday night’s informational meeting in the library. “I set out 15 chairs and told myself, ‘If these get filled, I’m willing to give it another shot.’”

She wasn’t disappointed: 15 people showed up. Around six people also sent emails expressing their desires to help out but couldn’t make the meeting.

Heritage Days takes place the first weekend in August and celebrates an aspect of Mattapoisett’s history.

In addition to the mainstay events such as the “Great American Cookout,” Vespers service and bus tours, a few new ideas were tossed around.

A guided cemetery tour, a police department vs. fire department softball game and educational events detailing industries such as cranberry growing, aquaculture and ship building were added to the list.

Oh, and a Rubber Ducky race at the beach too.

Now the group is tasked with creating event committees and planning.

“Heritage Days involves a number of people doing research and figuring out how to make things work,” Gaspar said. “It all seems like chaos at the start, but it eventually comes together.”

The committee will meet again in the library on Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m.