Old Town takes the center stage this weekend, when the city’s annual Riverfest is held. All events will take place at Riverfront Park unless otherwise noted.

Events kick off on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., with a dedication by Rev. Bruce Stevens and the National Anthem sung by Paige Bacon, a two-time winner of the Eastern Maine American Idol contest, who also will perform from 7:30-9 p.m. Friday also will feature a performance by the Six Basin Street Dixieland Band at 4:30 p.m.; a car cruise and show from 5:30-7 p.m. free ice cream courtesy of the Rotary Club, starting at 7:15 p.m. and lasting until it’s gone; and a street dance from 8:30-10 p.m., with a break for fireworks at 9 p.m., Over at Old Town High School, the Homecoming football game will begin at 6 p.m, preceded by a Hall of Fame reception at 4 p.m.

On Saturday, events kick into high gear, with the Because I’m Happy and Healthy 5K at 8 a.m.., and the 9th annual Ride for a Cure Brenda Sibley Memorial ride starting at 9”30 a..m. Then comes the parade down Stillwater Avenue from Old Town High School and Main Street to Holy Family Church’s parking lot starting at 10 a.m., with members of the OTHS state championship basketball team serving as grand marshals. The day also will feature a craft fair, canoe and kayak demonstrations, Old Town-Orono YMCA sponsored games, information booths, pony rides, wagon rides, a petting zoo, and fun games for kids from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; performances beginning at 11 a.m. Featuring the UMaine band, the Maine St. Andrews Pipes and Drums, a mixed martial arts demonstration, the Northeastern Winds Middle Eastern Dancers, and the University of Maine Woodsmen; a cross country meet at the high school at 1 p.m.; Riverfest‘s Got Talent at 2 p.m.; girls and boys soccer games at 5:30 and 7 p.m. respectively at OTHS; a field hockey game at 7 p.m. at the UMaine field; and a spaghetti dinner from 4-7 p.m. at the Old Town K of C hall, with proceed to benefit the local Coats for Kids program.

Events end on Sunday with the always enjoyable Fun Dog Show and Blessing of the Animals at 1 p.m. at the Herbert Sargent Community Center.