Festival de Joie, opening Aug. 1, is looking for more volunteers to make it a success.

LEWISTON – Prelude 2003 and the 11th annual Festival de Joie is nearly here and volunteers are needed.

It takes an estimated 175 volunteers to put on the festival, and organizers say they are in need of more help. A special meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, July 14, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 150 East Ave. All those interested are invited to attend and find out about becoming a volunteer. It will be the last meeting before the festival.

For more information call 782-6231 or visit the festival’s Web site at www.festivaldejoie.org.

The six-day celebration will begin Tuesday July 29, with a special concert at the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center, Birch Street. Just Us will entertain. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. with the doors opening at 6. Tickets are $5 and are available at Victor News or at the door the evening of the concert.

The official opening ceremony will be held at the new Courthouse Plaza on Lisbon Street at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 30. Dignitaries are expected to include Gov. John Baldacci and U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud.

A parade will follow at 7 p.m. on Lisbon Street. The parade will start on Lisbon Street at Maple Street, go down Lisbon Street to Main to Park, ending back at Maple Street.

Lisbon Street will be closed to traffic from Main to Pine streets for activities that will include sidewalk cafes, entertainment on separate stages, vendors, exhibitors, street dancing and fun for all on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

The Festival de Joie will open its C’est Si Bon Cafe at 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at Railroad Park and entertainment will start at 1 p.m. Events will continue until 11:30 p.m. on four separate states. The festival will conclude Sunday.