By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

By the time La Kermesse festival opens Friday, Ray Gagne and other volunteers will have logged dozens of hours preparing for the annual celebration that marks the start of summer in Biddeford. 

The La Kermesse vice president spent Monday afternoon in the festival’s main tent assembling the stage where performers will entertain visitors this weekend. Though the festival will be in a new location downtown, Gagne said the volunteers’ commitment to putting on a fun event remains the same.

The festival, now in its 29^th year, moved to Mechanics Park at the corner of Main and Water streets because it can no longer be held on St. Louis Field President Jessica Quattrone said board members have spent the better part of the past year putting together entertainment for the whole family. 

“We have activities for people 2 to 98. We wanted to have something for everybody,” she said. “We’re looking for it to be a new beginning. We’re trying to get back to being a real community event. I want people to walk around and see people they know.”

In addition to La Kermesse, other festivals will offer guests the opportunity to discover new art, ride in hot air balloons, sample barbecue and play at the beach. 

La Kermesse starts Friday night with a parade scheduled to step off at 6:30 at the corner of Main and Beach streets in Saco and wind its way across the river to Biddeford City Hall. Opening ceremonies will follow from 7 to 7:30 in the main festival tent. A pig roast will begin at 7 p.m.

Friday musical performances in the main tent include Famille LeBlanc from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.; La Kermesse Idol from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.; and Contagious at 9:30 p.m. On the outdoor stage, Lawton will perform from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by Breakthrough from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Crafter tables and food vendors also will be open. 

The festival continues Saturday with field games for children from 11 a.m. to noon; Hoopalula from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and various trampoline exhibitions by Dudziak’s Gymnasium will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lowe’s Children’s Workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the outdoor stage, followed by Gut Truckers from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and Breakthrough from 7:30 to 9 p.m. 

Saturday entertainment under the main tent includes Steppin’ Out Dance Centre from 10 to 11 a.m.; a puppet show by Dick Coffin from noon to 1 p.m.; and Rick Charette from 1 to 2 p.m. 

The La Kermesse Idol contest will continue from 2 to 3 p.m., followed by Zumba with Intensity Fitness Dance Studio from 3 to 4 p.m. At 5 p.m., Dick Coffin will take the stage to do impersonations. Chantel Et Marcel avec Les Filles will be featured at 6 p.m., followed by Famille LeBlanc at 7 p.m. The La Kermesse Idol finals are scheduled at 8 p.m., followed by Corona Brothers at 8:30 p.m.

An all-you-can-eat bean supper will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. for $7. Other activities available through the day include face painting, rides, food vendors and crafts. Instead of carnival rides, the festival will offer a variety of bounce houses, a special trampoline and rock wall. 

Saturday’s festivities will be capped with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. 

La Kermesse will wrap up Sunday with a religious service from 9 to 10 a.m. and a crepe breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon. Closing ceremonies with a performance from the St. Louis Alumni Band will take place 11 a.m. to noon. 

La Kermesse advance tickets are $8 for Friday and Saturday. Tickets at the gate are $2 per day to walk around or $5 with access to all areas, including the main tent. Entry is free on Sunday. Entrance to the bounce house area will be free throughout the festival.

Tickets are available in Biddeford at Ray’s Market, Hannaford, PeoplesChoice Credit Union, Shaw’s, Saco-Biddeford Savings Bank, Biddeford Savings Bank, Super Sub Shop, Pool Street Market and Majestic Flowers. They are available in Saco at Hannaford, Shaw’s and PeoplesChoice Credit Union. 

The second annual Spirit in America hot air balloon festival will begin Friday in Old Orchard Beach. The three-day festival will feature tethered balloon rides at sunrise and sunset Friday through Sunday weather permitting. 

A lobster bake on the beach in front of The Brunswick will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday for $20 per person. A variety of free entertainment and a street bazaar will be held throughout the weekend in Town Square.  

“It’s a wholesome community event that brings a lot of families to the beach,” said Sharri MacDonald of OOB365, the group that organized the festival. 

Opening ceremonies will be 9 to 9:30 a.m. Friday in the square, followed by performances by Jeremy the Magician, Jimmy Jo and the Jumbol’ahuhs and kite demonstrations by the Nor’Easters Kite Club. Minute to Win it in OOB will be played 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A “Night Glow” of illuminated hot air balloons will be held on the beach Friday and Saturday evening at dusk. 

Sky Dive New England skydivers are expected to land on the beach at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday as part of their red, white and blue sky show. On Saturday, the Wavelength Musical Show will be performed 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

MacDonald said a new addition to the weekend’s activities is the first Smokin’ at the Ballpark event set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Free trolley rides will drop guests off at the Ballpark for an afternoon of barbecue, music and family activities. The cost is $10 per person and guests will help chose the barbecue champion. 

Proceeds from Smokin’ at the Ballpark benefit ongoing revitalization efforts at the town-owned facility. 

On Sunday, the balloon festival continues with tethered balloon rides for $20 per person and demonstrations of Hula-Hoop, karate, Zumba and more. MacDonald said the OOB365 tent in Town Square will provide visitors complete schedules and more information about activities. 

The booth will also sell $20 raffle tickets for a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro to support free activities sponsored by OOB365. The winner will be chosen Aug. 27 at the American Legion regional baseball tournament at the Ballpark. 

“You can come down to play in Old Orchard Beach this weekend,” MacDonald said. “It’s a great place to bring the family.” 

Weekend festivities also include the 41^st annual Saco Sidewalk Arts Festival on Main Street and Pepperell Square. More than 100 artists and craftsmen are expected to transform downtown into an art gallery beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. The event is organized by Saco Spirit. 

Visitors can hop on a trolley for a free ride across the river to the Biddeford ArtWalk’s BiddeFair Arts and Crafts Festival in Shevenell Park beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. Award-winning Maine sculptor Asherah Cinnamon at 2 p.m. will lead a guided tour of her installations in three downtown storefronts. 

The Biddeford ArtWalk from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday also will offer visitors an opportunity to see studios and displays in North Dam Mill. An opening reception for Cinnamon’s display, “The Language of Trees Continued: One Woman’s Love Affair with Wood,” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Forever Fit. 

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