FARMINGTON — Summer Fest, including “Farmington’s Got Talent,” will take place Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27.
“Farmington’s Got Talent,” be at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the North Church on High Street.
At 7:30 p.m. there will be a free concert with band Seagrass, a five-piece Americana band.
Last year, more than 20 entrants of all ages and talents participated in the talent show.
There are four age categories: Under 6 years, 7 to 12 years, 13 to 17, and 18 and over. Participants are encouraged to be creative with their talents, costumes and presentations, which cannot exceed five minutes.
Judges are Bill Colwell, Michael Worthley and Michael O’Brian, members of the band Crooked Bill. Criteria include originality/creativity , stage presence/poise, musicianship or skill difficulty and crowd appeal.
There will be a winner in each category and one overall best performer. Cash prizes will be awarded to one winner in each age group; and the overall winner will get $100.
Participants should be at the North Church at 5 p.m. Slots are limited, so serious contestants should register early to make sure they get a chance to perform. Candidates can register online at susun@minikins.org, or in person at Minikins retail store at 218 Broadway, or by calling 207-491-5533.
Refreshments will be served between the talent show and the concert, and donations for the cookies, coffee, tea and water will go to the Farmington Historical Society.
SATURDAY EVENTS
On Saturday, Broadway and Church streets will be closed for Summer Fest, which includes vendors, demonstrations, displays, music groups and other entertainment.
The food court will be in the Franklin County employees parking lot, on the corner of Main and Church streets, and will feature Clint’s BBQ, Juicy J’s Lemonade and Eatery, Lady Huck Lobster Rolls, Island Cow ice Cream and Carbon Catering, a new wood-fire grill pop-up food truck from Industry. On Broadway, there will be Sweet Life Kettle Corn, Slush Express and Blue Crew Root Beer Floats.
Music begins at 10 a.m. and scheduled entertainers are Merry Plinksters, Arizona Rose, Flash! In the, Crooked Bill, Th Sunday Project, Randy Gauvin, Gambol Creek, Stan & Dan, Shiva Lila and Old Gold.
The Children’s Parade will commence at 11 a.m., with lineup at 10:30 at the Franklin County Children’s Task Force on Church Street. This year’s theme Tropical Paradise. Children will march down Broadway to the traffic light and then head north on Main Street, ending at the Meetinghouse Park, where there will be kids events.
The committee is still looking for musicians with band instruments to lead the parade.
The Spandits 5K and Kid’s 1-mile run will be held at 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. to benefit the Mt. Blue High School cross country teams. Entrants may register at www.spandits.com.
Other events are the Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m. to noon in the District Courthouse parking lot, the Old South Church’s Pie on the Porch at the Holman House from 1 to 4 p.m., and Picnic on the Lawn at the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Farmington Downtown Association organizes five Summer Fest events: The Talent Show, the History Mystery Scavenger Hunt from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Children’s Parade, the Great Float Race on the Sandy River at 1 p.m.; and the Dreamin’ Big Bed Race at 7 p.m. pn Broadway.
Other events sponsored by the Downtown Association are the free Historical Horse and Wagon rides with Paul Mills; free fire truck rides offered by the Farmington Fire Department; Farmland Fun on the front lawn of the Pierce House with Fred and Matilda’s petting zoo; street performer Michael Smilek and a traveling bicycle printshop with Little Chair Printing from Portland, offering on-site printing and sale of Summer Fest T-shirts.
At 7 pm the Farmington Gem Award will be presented to an outstanding member of the community. Nominations may be submitted to Mainestone Jewelry, 179 Broadway.
There are still spaces open for exhibitors; vendors or promotional exhibits. Contact Susun at susun@minikins.org or drop in to Minikins, 218 Broadway, Tuesday through Saturday.
