A guitar festival that celebrates the area’s rich association with the instrument is coming to Lewiston-Auburn.

Richard Willing, executive director of L/A Arts, announced the festival at Thursday’s forum on developing a creative economy. Willing said the event is planned for June 26 in the cities’ riverside parks.

“We have the date and we have the place,” said Willing. “Now we’re working on the money.”

Willing said he hopes to raise $40,000 to help launch the event. He said while many people outside of the community know about the area’s reputation for guitars – both as players and makers – it’s not well known locally.

“We don’t celebrate that, we don’t recognize that,” said Willing.

For instance, Lewiston native Lenny Breau, a famous and innovative jazz guitarist, is well respected by many modern performers, but not well known in his hometown. Likewise performers Johnny Highland and Clarence White, a bluegrass flat picker from Madawaska, are Maine natives who’ve made a name for themselves in the guitar world.

Lewiston is also home to two premier custom guitar makers: Dana Bourgeois and Jim Porter. Willing said even the area’s association with forests – red spruce is the wood of choice among many guitar makers – is cause for celebration.

“There’s a legacy here for guitars that no one talks about,” said Willing. He said Gleason Media and WCSH have already signed on as sponsors of the event.

“I hope it takes off,” said Willing. “We’ll all have a blast.”

– Carol Coultas