FARMINGTON – Some things get even better with age. The Children’s Festival planned for Saturday may be one of those things.

The festival, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Center at the University of Maine at Farmington, is celebrating a 25th anniversary this year and will be bigger than ever, said Renee Blanchet, executive director of the Franklin County Children’s Task Force Thursday.

It costs nothing

Designed to beat the winter blues, the event allows parents and children to spend time doing things together at no cost, she said. Last year more than 1,500 people attended, and even more activities, performances and food are on the agenda this year.

One new event, making maple taffy in the snow, will be held outside the main entrance on South Street, she said. The Maine Maple Association will demonstrate the process.

An eco-theater, the interactive use of theater and humor to highlight healthy foods, is planned at 1:15 p.m. in South Dining Hall. Created by Kathleen Welch, UMF assistant professor of community health education, and the students in her environmental health class, the activity will promote discussion on the value of local farming, cultural diversity and environmental issues.

Slice of local life

A skit called “Field of Dreams and Beans” will be performed by children and adults at the festival. It is a fairy tale based on the oral history of the life and hardships of a farming family in Jay. The slice of local farm life will show the value of local foods to the environment, the state economy and the health of Mainers, as stated in a news release.

A trivia quiz, samples of local food provided by ARAMARK and the Varney Farm in Turner, as well as information on Eat Smart, Eat Local by the Western Mountains Alliance are also planned.

A magician from Windham, Dennis Labbe, will perform for an hour starting at 11:45 a.m. and the musical group Shepherd’s Pie is scheduled at 2 p.m., she said.

Another favorite, the hands-on room, gives parents an opportunity to let their children explore what they want to do. A corner for reading together, music and sensory tables for children to play in sand and water will also be offered.