FARMINGTON — Hundreds of attendees had made their way by noon on Saturday through the gates for the first Foothills Fest, showcasing the talent, artisans and businesses of the area.
The festival was sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m happy with the crowd,” Chamber President Mike Blanchet said. “It’s the first year. It’s a perfect day. We really lucked out.”
Vendor Amy LeBlanc of East Wilton was selling items from her business, Whitehill Farm. While it was quiet at times, that gave her more time to talk with people with questions.
“I’ve had some wonderful conversations with folks,” she said. “Everybody wants to know what a garlic scape is.”
University of Maine at Farmington senior Cameron Morrell was overseeing the 60-foot inflatable obstacle course. There was a long line of children and adults waiting to take a turn.
“This is easily the most popular event here today,” he said.
Joan Macneil of Canton brought her grandson, Ryan Bates. Visiting from his home in Putnam, Connecticut, he enjoyed feeding the goats in the petting zoo.
Dozens of people gathered for a K-9 police dog demonstration presented by Lt. David Rackliffe and Deputy Derrick Doucette of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Rackliffe told how the dogs were trained, Doucette demonstrated his dog’s tracking ability and both answered questions from the audience.
Farmington Police Sgt. Edward Hastings IV had special goggles for visitors to wear. Each pair simulated what vision would look like with a different blood alcohol level percentage (BAL).
While wearing a pair equal to a 0.07 BAL, Blanchet said, “Wow! Everything is way off.”
Cassandra Tetzlaff, a girl from Farmington, tried a pair simulating a BAL of 0.20.
“I can’t see straight,” she said. “Everything is on its side.”
Chamber Executive Director Penny Meservier said, “Everybody is having a good time. The bands have been great, the kid’s activities a big hit and the weather has been perfect.”
pharnden@sunmediagroup.net
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce hosted the first Foothills Fest Saturday at the Farmington fairgrounds. Seen from left are Jay cousins Mikayla Welch, Justin DiGuiseppe and Leah Welch using hula hoops.
The 60-foot inflatable obstacle course was popular at the first Foothills Fest Saturday, hosted by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, at the Farmington fairgrounds. Seen are Victoria Nile and Brody Nile of Farmington as they make their way down the slide that finishes the course.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce hosted the first Foothills Fest at the Farmington fairgrounds Saturday. During a reflexology demonstration, Sandra Webber of End of the Rainbow, is seen giving a foot massage to Angela LeClair, who serves on the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce hosted the first Foothills Fest at the Farmington fairgrounds Saturday. Deputy Derrick Doucette and his 15-month old dog, Judge, show the dog’s tracking ability during a K-9 police dog demonstration.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce hosted the first Foothills Fest at the Farmington fairgrounds Saturday. Chamber President Mike Blanchet tries to walk the white line while wearing beer goggles which simulate a blood alcohol level of 0.07 percent.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce hosted the first Foothills Fest at the Farmington fairgrounds Saturday. Lindsy and Cassandra Tetzlaff of Farmington are seen writing their names underneath samples they wrote while wearing beer goggles.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
