What: Farmington Strawberry Festival

When: Friday and Saturday

Where: Broadway and Church Street

FARMINGTON - Strawberry Festival activities will spill over onto Church Street this weekend.

"We've tried to bump it up this year and offer a little bit of everything for everybody," said Nichole Eustis of the Downtown Business and Professional Association, which sponsors the event.

Friday's highlights include Art in the Park, road races, Farmington Rescue's chicken barbecue from 4-6 p.m. and St. Luke's Episcopal Church's lobster roll lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On Saturday, Broadway and Church Street will be closed to traffic to allow displays and vendors to join downtown businesses offering specials, Eustis said.

More children's activities are planned, including the return of the air-inflated bounce house, pony and wagon rides, a strolling magician on Church Street who will also perform on the stage and more, she said.

"Many of the vendors will promote Maine-made products and we plan to mix in some green energy with a windmill display and Northern Lights will have a wood pellet stove exhibit," she said.

She said there would be wood turning, glass blowing and chain saw carver Ted Walker will demonstrate his skills. Members of the Farmington Rotary Club will display their antique cars on Church Street on Saturday.

Eustis, working with Marsha Planting, who she called the main force behind the event, noted that entertainment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday is also planned. It will include Indian instrumental music by Hridaya Hermitage, City Light Dancers and the New England All Star Dancers, middle and high school student dancers, will give a recital of their work while their parents sell fried dough, she said.

A magician, Conjuring Carroll, will give a couple of performances; there will be music by The Fugitives, a women's drumming group; and Alex Lear will play guitar and sing.

On Church Street, the Ski Museum of Maine will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday to give people a chance to see the expanded exhibit of ski memorabilia, said Museum Director Megan Roberts.

"This will be the unveiling of our expanded exhibit, including a larger collection of skis that have been manufactured in Maine," she said.

Another opportunity associated with the festival is a chance to tour the community access television station Friday when Mt. Blue MBTV 11 holds an open house from noon to 3 p.m. at the station in Merrill Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington. A free barbecue will also be held.