FARMINGTON — There will be something for the young and the young at heart at the Pirates and Princesses Palozza, one of many events offered Saturday during Farmington’s first Summer Solstice Celebration.

Activities, store sales and specials, food and entertainment are being planned to help kick off summer, John Moore of the Farmington Downtown Association said. 

Members have organized the day, Moore said. The celebration includes a Ferris wheel, a climbing wall, fashion show, four-mile trail run, petting zoo and pony rides, marionette show and magic show, along with Art in the Park and Farmington Fire and Rescue’s annual chicken barbecue.

The festival takes place Saturday, June 22, at several locations in the downtown.  Times and events are listed at http://farmingtonsolsticecelebration.webs.com.

It’s not about the moon anymore. It’s now a celebration of the sun and fun for Farmington. Last month the downtown group voted to end the traditional end of July event, SummerFest, and one originally titled Moonlight Madness, and pursue something new.

“We’re taking it out of July and holding it at the beginning of summer,” Farmington Postmaster Sue Jones said. The previous festival was held between those offered in other towns.

“Now we’ll set the pace for other towns,” she said.

Jones is organizing a fun event on the lawn of the Pierce House, just as she did for March’s Ice Festival.

Volunteers are helping create a huge castle and pirate ship for the Pirates and Princesses Palozza. A dollar buys four tokens that can be spent on games such as walk the plank, face painting and items in a Palozza store. They include princess crowns and pirate scarves, treasure chests and candy.

Children may come dressed as pirates and princesses for photos, Jones said.

Anyone wanting to help is asked to contact Jones at the post office.

The proceeds go to future festivals. Local businesses are supplying prizes and Palozza store items, she said.

The festival is held to promote the downtown, merchants and businesses, Moore said. Activities and store specials are spread out throughout Broadway, Main and Front streets.

The new four-mile trail run is a fast and fun course along the scenic Sandy River, he said.  It starts at the Snack Shack at Prescott Field at 11 a.m., registration at 10 a.m., where wood-fire pizza and gelato are available after the race.

A climbing wall is there from 2 to 6 p.m. and a fashion show featuring downtown businesses with the Teachers Lounge Mafia performing starts at 4:30 p.m., he said.

A Ferris wheel is being set up in the Bangor Savings Bank parking lot and will be available from 1 to 6 p.m. The Farmers Union will offer a petting zoo and pony rides from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Calico Patch will take crafted fairy houses from 10 to 11 a.m. As part of a contest, these will be on display all day.

Children can make their own colonial toy from 10 a.m. to noon at the Old North Church. The event is sponsored by the Farmington Historical Society.

Art in the Park is being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Meetinghouse Park, and the Fire Department will serve barbecued chicken starting at noon in the Courthouse parking lot.

Musical entertainment is offered from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Homestead Bakery Restaurant. The band Walking with Horses featuring Zak Kendall and Seth Wegner will play from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by the band Ice Out from 7 to 9 p.m., Laurie Danforth said.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy the music and full service, including meal and beverage specials, she said.

Some events, times and places, may change as the festival draws near, Moore said.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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