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Farmington’s 52nd annual Summer Fest draws a big crowd

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A big crowd turned out for the 52nd annual Summer Fest in Farmington, which began on Friday evening and will run through Saturday evening.
A big crowd turned out for the 52nd annual Summer Fest in Farmington, which began on Friday evening and will run through Saturday evening.
Jasper Hodgkin, 10, of Farmington, demonstrates his talent for solving cube puzzles at the Summer Fest. This was the Cube Wizard's second year at the festival.
Jasper Hodgkin, 10, of Farmington, demonstrates his talent for quickly solving cube puzzles at the Summer Fest. This was the Cube Wizard’s second year at the festival. Last year, he said he made $131 in tips at the festival, which he spent on buying more puzzle cubes.

FARMINGTON – The 52nd annual Summer Fest drew hundreds of families and friends downtown on Saturday to check out the nearly 50 vendors and display tents, participate in contests and be entertained by several bands set up in Meetinghouse Park and along Broadway throughout the day.

This year the sponsoring Farmington Downtown Association added Friday evening concerts and trivia game held in the park, which drew more than 150 people, organizer Sue Jones said.

“It was incredible,” she said. Incredible, too was the turnout for the new children’s parade.

The parade, also a new feature of the festival this year, was lead by Michael Romanyshyn of Temple, who provided the marching music by playing a one man band contraption. Stilt walkers danced along with the children pulling wagons of stuffed friends, some waving streamers as the crowd applauded them along Broadway.

Excellent job,” Jones said to her participants at the parade’s end. “Did you see all the people looking at you,” she asked with a grin.

The fun continues tonight with Spandits Race at kid’s race at 5:30 p.m. and 5K road race at 6:15 p.m. At 7 p.m. the Farmington Gem Award will be presented and at 7:15 p.m. the Dreamin’ Big Bed Race, will all take place on Broadway. From 7:30 to 9 p.m. Street Dance Flash! In the Pans.

Margaret Bremner, 4, of Farmington, participates in the children's parade at the Summer Fest in Farmington. Many children and stilt walkers joined in on the fun.
Margaret Bremner, 4, of Farmington, participates in the children’s parade at the Summer Fest in Farmington. Many children and stilt walkers joined in on the fun in the first year of the parade at the festival.
Festival organizer, Sue Jones, claps along with the musicas the children's parade marches down Broadway.
One of the festival’s organizers, Sue Jones, at right, claps along with the music as the children’s parade marches down Broadway.
Art and craft work were on display for sale on Broadway during the Summer Fest in Farmington.
Art and craft work were on display along Broadway during the Summer Fest in Farmington.
Janine Winn, a member of the Western Maine Blacksmith Association demonstrated the art work at the portable forge at the Summer Fest.
Janine Winn of Temple, a member of the Western Maine Blacksmith Association, demonstrates creating metal art work at the portable forge at the Summer Fest.
Sophie Seigle paints the face of Hunter Lougee, 7, of Hamilton, Mass., as his brother, Miles Lougee, 5, looks on. The boys are visiting their family in Industry.
Sophie Seigle paints the face of Hunter Lougee, 7, of Hamilton, Mass., as his brother, Miles Lougee, 5, looks on. The boys are visiting family in Industry. The face painting was sponsored by the Farmington library.
Various activites are set up in Meetinghouse Park, as well as lower Broadway and a food court in the county's Church Street parking lot
Various activities are set up in Meetinghouse Park, as well as lower Broadway and a food court in the county’s Church Street parking lot across the street. The fun continues tonight with the Spandits kids miler and 5K, Gem Award presentation, bed race and a street dance.
Paul Mills lead history tours of downtown Farmington from Charles Kendrick's horse drawn wagon.
Paul Mills leads a history tour of downtown Farmington from Kendrick Charles’ horse drawn wagon as a feature of the Summer Fest.
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8 Comments

  1. Sounds like so much fun, I want to try to make it to watch the bed race and listen to the steel band! It is so good to see towns putting on these events now. Kudos to Sue and all who out did themselves to make it happen.

  2. Sue Jones did a great job. Quite interesting with the Farmington history. Thumbs up for Jack Peck and the rest. Talent show was great. Love those little ones. Sue you impressed everyone with the zip codes. Job well done…

  3. What a fabulous day! A chance to meet and connect with friends and meet new ones, too. We enjoyed music along Broadway, tried to induce more $ into local economies (well, you gotta buy lunch and Stuff on Sale!) Enjoyed the sun and slight breezes before the rain splatters began. And, yes the “parade” of happy kids, parents and stilt walkers was a total delight. Thank you Susan Jones and all the rest of the committee for a wonderful “Downtown Farmington” event!

  4. Congratulations on a great Summer Fest. It takes a a lot of planning to do an event like this. What a great time for family and friends get together, class reunions, and promoting business. Your event is getting bigger every year. Once again GREAT JOB.

  5. thank you Sue and all participants for keeping Farmington one of the best towns!

  6. What a great day! Well done! It was wonderful to see families young and old together enjoying our wonderful town.

  7. Big shout out to 3D Games and their amazing Pikachu character……all ages wanted their picture taken with it. So much fun to watch….

  8. Susun Therese ( Minikins) chaired the committee, got lots of donations, lined up volunteers, had posters made and lots more. Great job Susun and helpers ! Farmington Downtown Association is so lucky to have you all……

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