FARMINGTON — The 3rd annual Farmington Fire & Ice Festival, featuring a variety of family activities, takes place Saturday, March 14, on Front Street.

“People remember the past festivals and have been asking about it,” Tammy Parsons of Divine Inspirations said.

The festival, sponsored by Kyes Insurance, will be held from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and evening entertainment is also planned. A fireworks display over Prescott Field begins at 7 p.m.

Franklin Savings Bank will host the Tube Park behind the bank.

“It was a huge hit the past couple years and should be even better this year, now that we have so much snow,” Franklin Savings Bank spokesman Anna Lyon said. “The fact that it is a family-friendly event and so much of it is free or very low cost means that everyone can enjoy the day, even if money is a little tight.” 

Friends of Front Street is hosting the popular event.

Some events require a $5 festival pass, but other activities are free.

Information booths at Divine Inspirations and in front of the Better Living Center will sell passes from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The passes help sponsor festival events, including a Rick Charette Concert from 2 to 4 p.m., a Randy Judkins Variety Show at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., a family scavenger hunt and several movie showings at Narrow Gauge Cinema.

Movies include “Cinderella” at 11:30 a.m., “Paddington” at 2 p.m. and “SpongeBob SquarePants” at 4:30 p.m.

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers will present “The Legend of Banana Kid” puppet show at 2 p.m. at Narrow Gauge Cinemas.

Dog sled rides around Prescott Field will be available for $5.

Other activities available without passes include a Fire Breathing and Dance Show with Benjamin Reynolds at 6:40 p.m. and Fire & Ice bonfires at 6:20 p.m., both near Prescott Grille. Horse-drawn wagon rides, sledding and children’s activities will be held during the day.

Divine Inspirations will offer opportunities to make and decorate snowmen and taste s’mores, Parsons said.

Franklin Savings Bank and Western Mountain Financial Services will  provide free popcorn until about 1 p.m. Even mascot Benjamin Black Bear will come out of hibernation early to make an appearance around noon, Lyon said.

“Our employees really love this event,” she said. “I think after this very intense winter, all of us could use a day out to relieve our cabin fever.”

A Teachers Lounge Mafia comedy performance takes place at 8 p.m. at the Greenwood Dining Room and a Fire & Ice Dance starts at 9 p.m. at Front Street Tavern.

Businesses along Front Street will also offer specials and raffle drawings.

“The early bird gets the best deal,” Parsons said. 

Shoppers who come early to some stores along Front Street will get a larger percentage off than those who come later, she said.

For information, go to farmingtonfireandicefestival.net.

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