MONMOUTH – A field day and chicken barbecue to kick off a fundraising campaign for a new playground at Monmouth Middle School will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the middle school.

The event will include a climbing wall, bouncers, relay races, tractor rides and a special ceremony to honor U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who will be on hand to help kick off the drive.

At 4 p.m. the Maine Recreation and Parks Association will award Collins with its Katahdin Award in recognition of her advocacy for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and her strong support of parks-and-recreation efforts.

Since the playground project has applied for a Land and Water grant, the association is using the event to present Collins with the award, Maine Recreation and Parks Association President Douglas Beck said.

The playground project “shows so clearly why this program is still relevant,” Beck said.

Food will be served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Advance tickets for chicken dinners, including beverage and dessert, will cost $10 for adults and $5 for children; hot dog meals will be available for $3.

Day-of tickets for meals will be $15 for adults, $7.50 for kids and $5 for the hot dog special.

The event is sponsored by the Monmouth Playground Committee.