By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

La Kermesse officials said turnout was low for the 28^th Franco-American heritage festival in Biddeford.

The annual festival was held at a new location this year and was scaled down from previous years, when a parade, fireworks and block party drew thousands of spectators. The festival was held last weekend inside and outside at the Biddeford Ice Arena and featured musical performances, food, a petting zoo and carnival rides. 

La Kermesse Treasurer Paul Gagne said 600 to 700 buttons were sold before the festival with more sold at the door. He was working Tuesday to total sale receipts and bills to see if the festival would turn a profit. Buttons were $10 each.

“I think we held our own,” he said. “The majority of the people we talked to were glad we were here.” 

The festival was held at the ice arena after city officials said it could no longer take place on St. Louis Field because of damage caused during last year’s festival. Gagne said attendance may have been lower because festival plans were made at the last minute and preparations were not visible in the middle of a highly residential area as they have been in the past. 

Gagne said he hopes the festival was able to turn a profit so organizers can continue to pay off debt from last year’s festival. City officials say the festival must pay $25,000 to the city for damages to the field during a rainy weekend last year. 

The festival also has been at the center of a theft case involving former La Kermesse President Priscille Gagnon. She was indicted last month on felony charges of theft for allegedly using a festival line of credit she was supposed to close. She pleaded not guilty and is expected to appear in court again in August. 

Despite the new venue, Gagne said the festival had a similar atmosphere to past years. Friends and family still met at the same food tents and enjoyed music together, he said. 

Lisa Metcalf and her 3-year-old son, Charles, spent part of Saturday afternoon assembling a small wooden car and checking out the petting zoo. Metcalf said her family tries to make it to the festival each year. She said she missed the parade that usually kicked off the festival, but her children enjoyed the “cozy” atmosphere of this year’s event.

Tina LaChance of Biddeford said she goes to the festival every year to see friends and family she hasn’t seen in a while. This year she volunteered in a food tent run by the Masons while her 13-year-old daughter, Rebecca, painted faces in a nearby booth. 

“It’s a tradition you can’t let die,” she said. “It’s a wonderful sense of community.”

Gagne said festival organizer will soon begin plans for next year’s festival. 

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.