FARMINGTON – A big crowd of mostly families took over downtown today during the first Fire & Ice Festival hosted by the Farmington Downtown Association.
Under the first clear blue skies and warm temperatures anyone can remember, children, with adults in tow, went from one fun event to another, all held in the downtown area. The festivities began at noon with a 5K road race at the University Credit Union on High Street, ice and snow sculptures and a snowman-making contest.
A large population of snow people and critters were created on the front lawn of The Pierce House on Main Street. Meanwhile, across the street, a hay bale maze kept all ages busy finding their way out to cookie-decorating fun in Bangor Savings Bank.
Over on Front Street, snow tubers came flying down a mountain of snow next to the Franklin Savings Bank steps and parking lot. Horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoe races, dog sled rides, an indoor kid carnival at The Paper White Room and participants had the option of purchasing a $5 festival pass at the information booth in front of Franklin Savings Bank that included free s’mores, Randy Judkins performing, free movie at Narrow Gauge Cinema, several raffle ticket entries for local bank savings bonds and gift certificates good at businesses downtown.
The event ended with a fireworks show at Prescott Field after dark.
My wife and just love Farmington, been there all my life.
I want to thank the FDA for Fire and Ice. As I walked around town with my kids I saw a lot of people just having fun. Tons of my daughters friends were running around every where while their parents were helping each other with the clues. The tubing hill was just great. It’s one of those days being a selectman, dad, and citizen of Farmington it just makes you feel proud of our little town. All I saw on the streets were smiling faces and heard a lot of laughter. So once again thank you to the FDA and the sponsors it was a great day. The last thing then I will stop, was GREAT FIREWORKS, to have them in the middle of town like that was awesome.
Ryan Morgan
Awesome Job!!! The fireworks were fabulous and it was nice to see all the fun happening today in Farmington, Thanks to all! Hope we see you next year…
A well thought out, creative, multi-dimensional, brilliantly organized event. Every aspect was as well or better than promised in ads and announcements.
The fireworks at the end of the evening were absolutely spectacular, watched from around the bonfires, where s’mores were being assembled, and drummers setting rhythms that had young and old moving to the beat.
I know there are many, many people who are to be thanked for this great day, and I hope they all know that their work is very much appreciated.
What a great town this is!
The fireworks were great!! Thank you to the organizers for all of the work that went into making this a fun family day!
Thank you to the Farmington Downtown Association and newly appointed Program Chair John Moore for a great community event. As I strolled around town and attended the great fireworks display I saw a lot of folks from outside the downtown area. This proves that the Farmington Downtown Association can and does provide events that are of interest and benefit those from outside the downtown area. Keep up the good work and you’ll prove that your efforts are ‘inclusive’ and not ‘exclusive’.
I’ve seen a lot of fireworks displays for the last 65 years and I must say that the presentation this evening was the best I’ve ever seen. The finale was deafening and exciting—it nearly drove me into the ground. It may have been the result of where I was, in front of the Narrow Gauge Theatre, which was close by the fireworks. I saw two different kinds of shells I’ve never seen before. Words fail to some extent but one displayed a lacelike golden net of fibres over a vast area. The other was near the end 3 or 4 times of pillars of white with four or five shafts together each topped with a very bright light. What a masterful display!
Congratulations to the orgaizers! It was a great relief for cabin fever.
A huge THANK YOU to all of the organizers of the Fire and Ice
My children and I had a great day filled with activities and
laughter. We are all so fortunate to live in such a great community!
Is part of the promotions committee, I was in charge of the snowman making at the Pierce house. There was about 60 snowman made and decorate. It’s the most fun I have had all winter!
We were blessed with an incredible day in an incredible community.
The fireworks were awesome! It was so nice to see so many families out and about. We are so lucky to live in such a great town! Hope they make this a tradition.
Bill – I know the ones you are talking about. The first ones that you described as lace-like – my daughter and I thought they resembled baby’s breath. It was beautiful. A great way to end the day which also happened to be my daughter’s birthday!
The fireworks were great. Early enough for the kids and the weather cooperated. Can’t wait for next year!
Great Job
Great job FDA!
The fireworks were great! By the responses everyone thinks the same. Having them right downtown at Prescott field was a fabulous idea!
Good old Farmington! We have much to be proud of and thankful for. 95% of the world would trade places with us. The other 5% doesnt know any better.
Awesome day!! Thank you Downtown Farmington Association. :)
John Moore is to be congratulated for pulling this together (and I’m sure pulling out a few hairs)! There was really something for everyone in the Fire and Ice Fest!