Kennebunk not only knows how to ring in the Christmas season, the town also knows how to put on a good party for spring. The Kennebunk May Day Festival on Saturday has a lineup of activities with a little something for everyone in the family.
You can dance around a maypole, climb a five-lane rock wall with your friends, talk to fairies at the library and give your teddy bear a checkup and flu shot with Southern Maine Medical Center. And let's not forget a ride in a horse-drawn carriage with Larry and Max.
The town is pleased to also welcome the opening day of the local farmers market, a true sign that spring is here.
And of course, a milestone like that just calls for a big parade to do up the celebration just right.
"There are tons of wonderful things going on during the day. Enjoy it and take part in it all. But you absolutely don't want to miss the parade at 1:30," said Teri Collard, May Day Festival committee volunteer.
"We're going to have the Shoestring Theater, Gym Dandies, Shriners, classic cars, local marching bands, the Dunlop Highland Band and lots more. But come in a little early to get a good spot to watch it on Main Street."
The May Day Festival kicks off at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at Duffy's Tavern & Grill on Main Street. Proceeds from the breakfast support the festival so families can continue to enjoy all the entertainment it offers for free.
Fans of fairies are in for a treat at the Kennebunk Free Library. There will be a fairy program with prizes and fairy crown making starting at 9:30 a.m.
The Brick Store Museum will host May basket making beginning at 10 a.m. The Kennebunk police and fire departments' Safety Expo will offer some educational fun. The maypole dancing, led by the Portland School of Ballet, begins at noon at Lafayette Park on Storer Street.
Live music will be on tap at the Main Street Plaza with the Kennebunk River Band from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At Lafayette Park, the Little Melodies Band performs from 10 a.m. to noon and then the Ketchfish Blues Band will take the stage from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Lafayette Park will also host ongoing activities all day that include face painting, a craft market and a pottery wheel, and tai chi demonstrations.
To appeal to the shopping types, there will be plenty of craft shopping around Main Street with the Kennebunk Baptist Church and First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church hosting craft markets. Lafayette Park will also host a variety of information and goodies tables sponsored by local nonprofit groups.
The day will close with a free bean supper served at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Lord Street from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
"May Day is a wonderful way to celebrate the end of winter and the start of spring. It's fun and free and I want people to come and take advantage of it," Collard said.
KENNEBUNK MAY DAY FESTIVAL
WHEN: May 7
WHERE: Kennebunk
HOW MUCH: Free
FOOD OPTIONS: A variety of items from restaurants around town as well as non-profit organizations.
PARKING: Behind Lafayette Park on Storer Street, off of Grove Street behind the Ross Building block, and Parson's Field is an easy walk to downtown. The municipal lot is not available because of the farmers market.
DON'T MISS: The parade at 1:30 p.m.
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: A variety of local nonprofits
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Rain or shine
MORE INFO: www.kennebunk downtown.com
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram May 1, 2011
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