Rick Charette, children’s entertainer, performs at last year’s festival at the Multi-Purpose Center. Sponsored by Advocates for Children, the festival features entertainment, activities and crafts for children and their parents.

Holiday festival for the children

LEWISTON – The 21st annual Holiday Festival for Children, sponsored by Advocates for Children, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Multi-Purpose Center, 145 Birch St.

This year’s special guest will be Clifford the Big Red Dog and children’s entertainer, Rick Charette, whose performance will begin at 10:30 a.m., will again be featured.

The festival will also welcome Brandon Baines, an 18-year-old yo-yo champ and juggler from Scarborough, as Charette’s opening act.

“Fur, Feathers and Feet,” an animal presentation by the Chewonki Foundation, will be held at 9:30 a.m. This year’s presentation will feature a Maine owl.

All-day events will include the Masonic child ID program, visits with Santa, the Bouncy Dragon, Sherry the Balloon Lady and free children’s crafts. New this year will be a Scholastic Book Fair and a Diaper Derby, with prizes awarded to the two fastest crawlers. Call Advocates for Children at 783-3990 to register babies for the Diaper Derby.

Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All food items will cost $1 each. Children can have lunch with Santa, Clifford the Big Red Dog and all their friends at 11:30 a.m.

Advance tickets will cost $5 for adults and $3 for children age 2 and up. At-the-door prices will be $7 for adults and $4 for children. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Advocates for Children, 57 Birch St., Lewiston, 783-3990; Hannaford stores on Sabattus Street, Lewiston, and Spring Street, Auburn; Dore’s Café, 20 Union St., Auburn; and at Lisbon Community Federal Credit Union, 352 Lisbon Road, Lisbon.