By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Large bubbles floated overhead and music filled the streets as area residents gathered to celebrate the revitalization of the Bacon Street neighborhood.

The second annual Bacon Street Festival on Sunday was part of the National Association of Town Watch’s 26^th anniversary National Night Out, which designated a night or day for communities to hold activities that promote safe neighborhoods. 

For many, the festival was also the chance to recognize a neighborhood where residents have worked during the last several years to clean up their streets and build a sense of community pride. Police Chief Roger Beaupre has said the neighborhood surfaced as an area of concern following a fatal shooting in late 1980s, but recent efforts to provide a safer environment have paid off.

Linda Hardacker, Biddeford’s community development coordinator, has worked with Bacon Street residents since 2005. Neighbors participate in community meetings and cleanups, and look after a new playground and community garden. Hardacker said the involvement of neighborhood youth has been especially important.

The second festival drew nearly twice as many as the first, Hardacker said. She estimated more than 600 people arrived for live music, dance demonstrations, games and other activities between 2 and 8 p.m. The evening culminated with a street dance during a performance by the band Ketch Fish.

“We’re glad people came,” she said. “Everyone enjoyed it all, from booths to the rock wall to the tag artistry.”

On Sunday afternoon, Hardacker – known as the “Bacon Street Fairy” – sported wings and a wand as she presided over a pie-eating contest. Four young contestants dived face first into individual-sized pies as they vied for first place. All children who participated in games at the festival took home prizes such as stuffed animals and candy, Hardacker said.

Festival attendees were also treated to milkshakes made by the Community Bicycle Center. Michael Bridges of Biddeford pedaled a converted bike to mix ice cream and milk in a blender behind the seat as Executive Director Andy Greif looked on.

Bridges, who lives in the neighborhood, said he goes to the bicycle center on Hill Street frequently to fix his mountain bike. Those who attend the center make milkshakes for themselves every Friday afternoon after they have cleaned up the shop, he said. Bridges said Greif is “my hero because he keeps everyone safe on the road.”

Brenda Fournier, a Bacon Street resident, said she moved to the neighborhood last year and loves the area. Pushing her two-year-old granddaughter Isabella Fournier in a stroller, she paused to greet Michael Lapointe and his red tail boa constrictor, Eve. 

“I think it’s great,” she said of the festival while examining the snake. “Everyone gets out and says hi and is in a good mood.”

Lapointe wandered up and down Bacon Street, pausing to answer questions about his nearly 8-foot pet snake. He said he tries to bring her to other similar festivals and especially enjoys watching children’s reactions. 

A break-dancing performance by the Breakheadz Crew of Biddeford drew a large crowd as its members spun and flipped to the music of Michael Jackson. Dancer David Davis said the group promotes an anti-gang message while teaching younger teens how to break dance.

Hardacker said the activities offered – including pony rides, a rock climbing wall and art projects with the Art Van – were only possible because of donations and volunteers. The “Go Greene” group founded by friends and family of Derek and Gage Greene, who were shot to death June 30 on South Street, were on hand to help out and meet their neighbors. Hardacker said group members met with every booth at the festival, volunteering to do anything from helping with pony rides to blowing up balloons.

Hardacker said neighborhood residents want to continue the tradition and host a third festival next year.