AUGUSTA – The Maine Elks Association will hold its third annual Youthfest on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Augusta Elks Lodge, Route 27. The free program will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine.

The purpose is to provide families of disabled or disadvantaged pre-teen children and their friends and families of active duty military personnel with a day of fun and entertainment.

Several children’s organizations have been invited to attend the event, including the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, area Big Brother Big Sister organizations, Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers, Androscoggin Head Start, Pine Tree Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Spurwink School, Salvation Army, Maine Special Olympics and the March of Dimes. In addition, children and families of active duty personnel in the armed services are invited.

The day will feature carnival games, face painting, pony rides, wagon rides, field games, a hoop shoot, soccer shoot, music, animated characters, clowns, bounce houses, prize drawings, food and music.

It will also feature a magic show by magician Bob Nixon and a concert by children’s entertainer, Rick Charette.

The Maine Elks Association provides youth programs in the form of Scholarships, the Elks Hoop Shoot and Soccer Shoot, a drug awareness program and several other contests and events for area youth.

The program is a community service, not a fund-raiser. For more information, contact Wayne or Kathleen Cotterly at 998-2282, Bob Bernier at 778-4597 or Bob Drisko at 582-6659.