FARMINGTON — Summer Fest has received a shot of revived energy with volunteers from the community at large, pitching in for a full day of activities.

With the start of the farmers market at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 25, on Broadway, to an evening concert at 8 p.m. in Meetinghouse Park, the day is packed with events, music, vendors and more.

“This festival wanted to happen,” said Susun Terese, festival committee chairman, of the annual event sponsored by the Farmington Downtown Association, whose merchants will once again offer specials and sales. “It wanted to be fun and full.” 

Started by downtown businesses as a Friday night Midnight Madness in the 1960s, the festival has changed themes, names, days and events, evolving over the years.  

This is an event that “reaches more than the downtown businesses, includes the greater community and gives back to it,” Terese said. 

For the first time, area businesses and individuals have generously become sponsors to help provide more events, she said.

This year’s theme is “Olde Time Fun.”

Volunteers outside the association have stepped forward to help, including Andy Shattuck of Wilton, who will help coordinate events Saturday, and Andy Buckland of Farmington, who will help with musicians, she said.

Jobs for Maine’s Graduates students from Mt. Blue High School, under the leadership of Cal Dorman, have agreed to coordinate a new event, The Great Float Race, down the Sandy River.

Troll Valley Campground & Disc Golf will provide disc golf on Front Street.

Volunteers from Barclaycard in Wilton will help set up, clean up and assist Sue Jones with “Olde Time Fun in the Park,” a variety of children’s games and family fun. One dollar purchases five coins which allow children to play games or buy treats, she said.

Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties and several churches, as well as music and magic acts will also set up events in the park. Family lawn games are also planned at the Pierce House on Main Street.

Henderson Memorial Baptist Church on Main Street will offer an “Olde Time Picnic Lunch” on the front lawn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., while Old South First Congregational Church members bring back “Pie on the Porch.” Musicians are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and continue throughout the afternoon.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will sell its annual lobster roll lunch at the park Saturday.

The Farmington Historical Society plans a lawn sale at North Church and will open the Octagon House for storytelling from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Historic horse-and-wagon rides with local historian Paul Mills are available from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starting on Front Street.

Northwoods Law Maine game warden Kris MacCabe will greet the public on Broadway from 10 a.m. to noon, she said.

Farmington Fire and Rescue will offer firetruck rides from 1 to 3 p.m., starting near the Better Living Center on Front Street.

The annual Spandits! 5K road race and Kids 1-Mile Run registration starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by the races and a street dance featuring Sunday Project, starting at 7 p.m.

Nearly 40 vendors plan to set up on Broadway and live entertainment will be offered at two stages on Broadway throughout the day. Busker Alley, for street performers, takes place on Main Street.

Summer Fest planners include Bernice Cote, Sue Jones, Emily Hartung, Andy Shattuck, Ellie Duley and Mary Lello.

abryant@sunmediagroup.net

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