FARMINGTON — The Farmington Downtown Association Summer Fest Committee is excited to include Keoni Thompson in their music line-up as a “Special Guest” who will present an evening concert in the gazebo in Meetinghouse Park, on Saturday, July 25th, from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Born in Industry, Maine in 1992, Keoni attended SAD #9 schools through 4th grade. He is the son of Kapoula and Linda Thompson, originally from Farmington. Kapoula was a math teacher at Mt. Blue Middle School, as well as a teacher and regional director for Jobs For Maine’s Graduates. Linda worked several years at the UMF Health and Fitness Center as a Group Fitness Instructor.

Keoni began playing guitar in Farmington, at the age of 8, thanks to the help of his youth-group friend Dan Hayden. Dan inspired Keoni to play and they played several times in the Youth Band at Farmington Baptist Church. He got his first guitar for his 9th Birthday and has been playing ever since. His first solo debut was at Cascade Brook Talent Show. In the summer of his 5th grade year the family moved to Hawaii. He and his younger brother, Koa, both attended Hualalai Academy in Kailua-Kona, and their parents taught there.

Later, Keoni attended Kamehameha School Hawaii, a school for children of Hawaiian ancestry located in Kea’au, Hawaii. He was in the Hawaiian Ensemble group for four years where he learned numerous Hawaiian songs and performed with the group all over the Island. After graduation, he met Simati Smooth, a famous local artist who became a great mentor to Keoni and the reason Keoni started performing in Kona.

Keoni now plays throughout the islands for private events: weddings, parties, corporate events and more. He also does several volunteer events on the Big Island and Oahu. He plays everything from country to bluegrass, soft rock to Hawaiian. His favorite artists include James Taylor, Jack Johnson, John Mayer and Alison Krauss, to name a few.

When Keoni is not performing or giving guitar lessons, he is surfing, his other great passion. He and his longtime friend and girlfriend, Cherokee Luker, also from the Farmington area, both live on the Kona side of the Island where there is plenty of sun and surf! They are both models for Larson Talent Agency.

Keoni is very thankful to all who have supported him along the way, including his biggest fan, Gloria Pillsbury, his grandmother from Farmington.

The Thompsons’ visit to Farmington this summer coincides with Summer Fest, presenting an opportunity for Keoni to perform, after a long absence, for his friends and family in his home town, and to bring his talents to the public during Summer Fest. The evening concert in the park, featuring Keoni, will be the closing event of the 2015 Summer Fest. Attendance is free and all are welcome!

For more information about Keoni, visit www.keonithompson.com or find him on Facebook, or Instagram. For Summer Fest information please contact susun@minikins.org