LEWISTON – The catastrophic fire that burned Marco’s Restaurant July 13 will leave a hole in the annual Prelude celebration leading up to the Festival de Joie.

The Italian restaurant was one of the anchors of the downtown event. During the two-day Prelude, Lisbon Street sidewalks traditionally fill with dining tables from the local restaurants. Marco’s often accepted hundreds of reservations.

“It was first class all the way,” festival leader Lionel Guay said. “It’s a huge void to fill.”

Even before the fire, the number of food vendors for the event had dropped.

“It’s getting more and more difficult to sign up food vendors,” Guay said. That’s despite the fact that food sellers at the Prelude pay no fee for the opportunity to set up booths or carts at the event.

The Prelude starts July 27 with a concert at the Franco-American Heritage Center. On July 28 and 29, two blocks of lower Lisbon Street will be closed to vehicles from 5 to 10:30 p.m. while concerts and dance performances take place. More information is available at www.festivaldejoie.org under The Prelude. Festival Weekend will be July 30, 31 and Aug. 1.

Between 5,000 and 8,000 people typically attend the Prelude.

Festival organizers hope to fill part of the Marco’s void with added tables at Bill Davis’ Luncheonette, across the street from the burned restaurant. Guay also hopes to hire street entertainment for the location.