FARMINGTON — Selectmen voted May 13 to approve a Mass Gatherings Ordinance application for the High Peaks Outdoor Heritage Festival featuring the Maine moose lottery drawing on June 21 at the Farmington fairgrounds.

Selectmen Richard Morton, Randall Gauvin and Dennis O’Neil were in favor; Scott Landry abstained because he is High Peaks Alliance treasurer. Matthew Smith was absent.

The last application was in 2002, High Peaks Alliance Executive Director Brent West said. “The process allowed us to cover all our bases,” he said. “It will be a really fun event.”

In addition to the annual moose lottery drawing, there will be a variety of vendors, demonstrations, food and music to celebrate the High Peaks Region and everything that is loved about Maine’s great outdoors, according to the alliance’s Facebook page. Those interested in updates may follow the festival’s event page.

In July 2024, West and JP Fortier, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce executive director, told selectmen the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife offered Farmington the opportunity to host the festival. The Maine Office of Tourism was trying to obtain funds through the American Rescue Plan Act for the moose lottery. Having the town sign on to the grant application increased chances of getting it, it was noted then. Selectmen agreed to collaborate on the grant to support a two-day festival at the fairgrounds.

Fortier said May 14 that the grant funds were not awarded. The decision to hold a one-day festival instead was based on “what worked, what didn’t work for other festivals, what would work for us,” he added.

Between 3,000 and 5,000 people usually attend the moose lottery, West told selectmen.

Fortier noted the festival is not being held on town property.

Neal Yeaton, Franklin County Agricultural Society secretary, questioned the need for a $2,000 deposit since the fairgrounds are being rented for the festival and are not owned by the town.

The deposit will be returned afterward if there are no issues, Town Manager Erica LaCroix said. “It’s in the ordinance,” she noted, adding that the number of people attending are a factor.

Yeaton noted other Farmington events planned this summer are expected to have large turnouts.

When the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is in town, attendance will be spread out over several days, LaCroix said. It’s up to the Select Board if they want to waive the fee or not, she said.

“The ordinance is a law,” she stressed. “We have to follow the law.” The board needs to look at the ordinance and update it, she added.

Policy shouldn’t be ignored, but should be fixed if it is not good, O’Neil said. “You did a hell of a job with (the application),” he said. “Going forward, we will definitely look at the policy.”

Fortier said he had no problem completing the safety portion of the application, with the help of Deputy Police Chief Shane Cote.

“It’s been quite a chore to meet with everybody,” Fortier added.

“It is good to get that feedback,” Morton said.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce member Shannon Smith asked if the security deposit could be lowered because there are a lot of expenses to get the festival organized.

LaCroix said the check didn’t need to be deposited and would be returned after the festival if there were no issues.

The board took no action after West said providing the check would not be a problem.

Fortier said he was excited, the festival would put Farmington on the map.

“We are excited to have it,” O’Neil added.