RUMFORD – The eighth annual Moontide Water Festival Carnival kicks off at noon Thursday when the ribbons will be cut by clients of Oxford County ARC.

Then for the next few days, rides will be spinning, music will be performed, and the aromas of sausages, cotton candy, ice cream, french fires and other popular carnival food will waft through the air. Also featured are three nights of music performed by area groups at a stage on Exchange Street.

The E&I Band will play soft country western/rock, followed by country music played and sung by Leavin’ City Limits on Friday. On Saturday, the Travelers will play classic rock. All shows begin at 7 p.m. On Saturday, along with the carnival, will be the annual 5K and 10K races along with the one-mile fun run. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at Hosmer Field. The fun run begins at 9 a.m. The 5K and 10K races begin at 9 a.m.

The carnival is the first part of two celebrations held from late June until July 4. Funds raised from the carnival help pay for July 4 events that end with a fireworks display over the reflection pool of the Androscoggin River.

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“This is a whole new carnival. We heard about it from the Topsham Fair,” said Moontide Committee member Cheryl Dickson of Carr Shows.

She said lots of children’s rides and more daring ones for teens and adults will line most of Congress, Exchange and River streets. These streets will be closed to traffic from Wednesday through Sunday. Area merchants will be open for longer hours and special sales promotions, while craftspeople will offer their work in the downtown area. The carnival begins each day at noon and runs until 10 or 11 each evening.

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