FARMINGTON — The 59th annual Summer Fest in Farmington took place Saturday, July 27, and was met with great success, drawing crowds of locals and visitors alike. Broadway was closed to traffic, making way for a bustling street lined with artists, crafters, and nonprofit booths.

One of the highlights of the event was the return of the Amazing Summer Fest Race, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Teams of two competed in various challenges around Downtown Farmington, vying for cash prizes awarded for the best times, costumes and team spirit.

The Children’s Parade, themed “Farmland Friends,” began at 11 a.m., starting from the Franklin County Children’s Task Force building and ending at Meeting House Park. Children wore costumes, made animal noises and followed the farmer leading the way.

Farmington’s Got Talent, another crowd favorite, took place on the entertainment stage on Broadway at 4 p.m. Community members of all ages showcased their talents while competing for cash prizes.

Meeting House Park was alive with activities including game booths, a petting zoo and continuous musical performances. New additions to the musical lineup this year included The Bank Mules with Andy Buckland and The Crawdads with Mike Burd and friends. Markus and Angelique Steelgrave’s Magical Balloon Twisting was a new feature in Meeting House Park, delighting children and adults alike with a long line.

The Blue Crew Robotics Team 6153 offered root beer floats at the Summer Fest July 27, and demonstrated the current robot the team is working on and a robot that is part of the class in Farmington Rebecca Richard/Franklin Journal

The American Legion family served a barbecue featuring half chickens, cole slaw, chips, brownies and bottled water, attracting many to the parking lot at Church and Main Street.

The Cool Zone provided a respite from the summer heat, offering shade, cool mist, and fans for attendees to enjoy.

Susun Terese, who has been organizing Summer Fest since 2015 as a volunteer with the Farmington Downtown Association, emphasized the importance of local business support in making the event a success.

Family Focused Yoga offered free sample classes and mindfulness activities, creating a peaceful tent setting with music and mats for a calming experience.

Blue Crew Robotics Team 6153 set up a booth displaying the robot they have been working on and offering root beer floats to raise funds for their projects and competitions. Lucy, a team member, shared her dedication, spending 40 hours a week on the project.

The Where’s Waldo search, organized by Devaney, Doak, and Garrett [DDG] Booksellers, was a month-long activity culminating in a finale party July 31 at 5:30 p.m. Participants enjoyed searching for Waldo in various downtown businesses during Summer Fest, cooling off in the stores as they played along. Some of the stores had the Waldo carefully hidden, requiring hints to find him.

Overall, the 59th annual Summer Fest in Farmington was a resounding success, bringing the community together for a day of fun, entertainment, and local pride.