KINGFIELD – Three days jam-packed with events will be highlighted by music, dances, races and parades, starting Friday in downtown Kingfield.

“It’s the best weekend for Kingfield,” said Kingfield Days committee chairwoman Tammy Goldfrank. “The Kingfield POPS is a wonderful day, but this three-day event is a huge boost for the community.”

The event has been going on for 30 years. Goldfrank became chairwoman three years ago with some ideas and a volunteer committee of 15 to help.

“My goal was to have something every minute from 4 p.m. Friday straight through Sunday,” she said.

One of the new events is a free blues fest featuring four musical groups. David Mello and his band have played there the past couple years, and this year he agreed to “a whole evening of blues,” she said, inlcuding organizing those who will offer performances beginning at 4 p.m.

“His band is a fun dancing band, but when Mello plays by himself the audience is enthralled. He makes his guitar literally dance,” she said.

Mello plays solo at 4 p.m. and will be followed by DW Gill and The Blues Prophets at 5:30 p.m., the River Bottom Funk Band at 7:30 p.m. and the David Mello Blues Band at 9:30 p.m.

Other entertainment begins at 10 a.m. Saturday with Jason Hardy’s high-tech juggling followed by Neil Saltin, a singer/songwriter of children’s songs, and continues throughout the day.

This year’s Amazing Kingfield Race promises to be a fun event, she said. It’s based on holidays and although it begins at 6 p.m. Friday, the race involves activities straight through to Sunday, she said. Registration is required and begins at 5:45 p.m. but all ages are welcome to participate.

The parade kicks off at noon and also carries the holiday theme. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded, she said.

Other activities include a Whatever Floats Parade down the Carrabassett River, a contra dance, barbecues, a Relay for Life roast pork dinner and activities for children, including a kids’ dance Friday night with “The Fugitives” band.

On Sunday, the Western Mountains Baptist Church will hold a Christian service under the tent at 10 a.m. and the second annual “Bring Out Your Best” cookoff begins at noon.

“This was one of the best spur-of-the-moment ideas suggested,” she said. “Instead of a chili cookoff or something like that some suggested, participants be invited to enter their favorite dish.”

People are welcome to sample the entries and vote for their favorite at the stage.

Ideas have already begun for next year’s Kingfield Days. The committee begins in early spring by holding an auction to raise funds in support of the weekend. Businesses donate items for the auction, and this year the group received a donation from Poland Spring, The town also allots $2,000 to help with events.

“It’s really a community effort,” she said.

The schedule of events is listed under Kingfield Days on the town’s Web site at www.kingfieldgovoffice.com