FARMINGTON — A bigger and better two-day Summer Fest will replace downtown Farmington’s former Moonlight Madness and Strawberry Festivals this year.

Planned for July 30-31, Summer Fest offers more events and activities but still brings the popular favorites of previous summertime festivals held in Farmington.

A traditional showing of works by local artists, Art in the Park, begins at 11 a.m. Friday, July 30, in Meetinghouse Park where an even larger display of artists’ works awaits viewing, according to organizers. Upcounty Artists will host the event this year.  In case of rain, the plan is to hold the event at the University of Maine at Farmington.

New this year is the 2010 Farmington Gem award. This award will be given to a person who has contributed to Farmington. Nominations will be taken through July 17. These may be left at Mainestone Jewelry.

Broadway will be limited to foot traffic Friday, creating an open-air, street-festival atmosphere, with events on the Broadway stage beginning at 9 a.m. Live music will play all day. Mason Strunk, 11, the grandson of the late Jud Strunk, will perform a “Tribute to Jud” at 3 p.m. Other performers, including local fiddlers and guitarists, are scheduled to perform. A complete schedule will be added to the website: downtownfarmington.com

Susan Jones, the Farmington postmaster, will entertain at 4 p.m. with a Stump the Postmaster game for fun and prizes. The presentation of the 2010 Farmington Gem will take place at 5 p.m.

Many demonstrations and booths will be set up on the street all day Friday. There will also be the fireman’s chicken BBQ, Fairbanks School strawberry shortcake, and pie on the porch to take care of every appetite.

The annual road race will take place Friday and registration begins at 4:30 p.m., with the children’s 1 mile run starting at 5:30, followed by the 5K race at 6:15 p.m. A street dance returns on Friday evening this year, featuring the group Shepherds Pie, who start performing at 7 p.m. on the Broadway stage.

A flower-arranging contest will take place Friday and Saturday at the Church Street Commons, 107 Church St., with divisions for both adults and children.

Saturday is all about family fun. Look for games at Hippach, a tennis marathon, the annual Barry Carlson Memorial, board games at the gazebo and a kids parade with bike-decorating before, and many other activities.

For more information, contact Farmington Downtown Association President Mike Mansir at 779-2935 or visit www.downtownfarmington.com

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