FARMINGTON — Plans for music and buskers, contests and games, a road race, dance and more is all coming together for Farmington’s annual Summer Fest.
The theme for Summer Fest is “Old Tyme Fun,” and will take place on Saturday, July 25, Susun Terese, chairman of the event, said.
One of the larger events planned by the Farmington Downtown Association, the committee this year seeks to make plans that will give SummerFest more continuity, she said.
Started as Moonlight Madness, it has evolved to include a variety of activities.
This year the planning committee is seeking sponsorship from area businesses to help with events, musicians and other plans for the day, she said.
It is a serious sponsorship drive. It has never been done before. There were always just a few sponsors. This year, we have sent out 165 letters requesting sponsorship and they are coming back, she said.
“Sponsorship is a push to help us grow,” Terese said. “The event has changed so much over the years. We want to get to a place where it has more continuity.”
The committee is planning on more music and entertainment this year, everything from a stilt walker to a fire dancer, storytellers at the Octagon House and a Northwoods Law booth with Warden Kris MacCabe.
There will be two stations on Broadway for musical performers.
They are also looking for traditional individual buskers will set up along Main Street and play for gratuities.
Buskers are old time street performers who put out a case for gratuities, Terese said. Most are amateurs.
We are encouraging young and older performers and musicians to share their talents. It is for those who love to play and entertain … it is just a fun thing, she said.
Street Project, an 8 piece brass band, will perform jazz, swing and dixie music for a street dance at 7 p.m. on Broadway, she said.
The annual Spandits road race, a one mile and 5K race, will also take place that day.
While Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers hold a Where’s Waldo event during July, for SummerFest downtown merchants are also participating in a Summer Fest Waldo “Plus” contest that day, she said.
Each shop will have a special item hidden in the store along with Waldo, she said. Participants can find the item, find Waldo and enter the Summer Fest drawing for a prize.
Various non-profit organizations are setting up “Olde Tyme Fun” booths in Meetinghouse Park. Face painting, a musical zoo, a hula hoop demonstration and some fun children games are being planned. They hope to offer music played in the gazebo of the park all day, she said.
Lawn games will be offered at the Pierce House and are sponsored by Franklin Savings Bank.
A historical walking tour will be led by Paul Mills. The Historical Society will hold a lawn sale at Old North Church.
Henderson Memorial Baptist Church will hold a Picnic on the Lawn and Old South First Congregational Church offers their annual Pie on the Porch.
A farmers market is planned on lower Broadway.
Dunkin’ Donuts plans a donut decorating event and individual stores and restaurants will offer their own specials and sales, she said.
Vendors and crafters will set up along Broadway. More are needed, she said. Those interested can contact Terese at 491-5533 or susun@minikins. org
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