FARMINGTON — The 33rd annual Children’s Festival planned for Saturday, Feb. 13, at the University of Maine at Farmington, has been canceled because of a power outage, officials said Friday.

The Franklin County Children’s Task Force made the decision “in order to ensure the safety and warmth of all attendees,” Renee Whitley, executive director, wrote in a Facebook post.

The problem developed Thursday afternoon when an area of the Olsen Student Center being renovated lost power, according to UMF. A local electrical contractor and UMF’s Facility Management team were able to restore power by mid-day Friday.

Everything for the festival was ready, Melissa Cousins, office manager, said Friday morning.

“It is a great opportunity for children to get out in this cold weather and have some fun,” she said. “We are heartbroken.”

The festival will be planned for 2017.

“We are so appreciative that our partner, UMF, recognized the needs of our little participants and notified us early this morning,” Whitley said on Facebook. “We look forward to a bigger and better festival next year.”

abryant@sunmediagroup.net