FARMINGTON – This Saturday in Farmington, it’s all about the kids. But parents are certain to have some fun of their own.

The Franklin County Children’s Task Force will host their annual children’s festival, a free event that focuses on families having fun together.

Nicknamed the “cabin fever festival,” the event gives area families a chance to shrug off the winter blahs, said organizer Debbie McGrane.

Held in the University of Maine at Farmington’s student center, the festival will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature a wide variety of activities from face painting to starring in a music video.

There will be visits from the tooth fairy, the crash test dummies and McGruff, everyone’s favorite crime dog. Performances scheduled include magician Charlie Who, the Franklin County Fiddlers, the Smith Brothers on guitar and fiddle, Bill Reid singing kids’ songs and playing banjo, and Celtic music from Cenedl. A play featuring papier-mache creations from Hightower and Sparks will also be presented. A low-cost food court will feature pizza, popcorn and ice cream.

“It’s really a good day to get out of the house and enjoy time spent together,” said Jaylene Gonyea of the children’s task force.

While the day is all about fun, there is also a strong theme of safety running throughout, Gonyea explained. A smoke trailer will teach kids how to escape in case of a fire. The Healthy Community Coalition will be teaching lessons on nutrition. And there will be booths featuring materials of interest to parents and links to resources.

McGrane said the beauty of the event is that it’s free

While most of the activities are low to the ground, the festival has lots to offer parents.

After planning the event several years in the 1990s, this is McGrane’s first year back as organizer. She said she hopes everything goes off without a hitch and is anxious for Saturday to roll around.

“It’s all worth it though,” she said, laughing. “I believe in families.”

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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