BIDDEFORD — The 27th annual La Kermesse Franco-American festival is scheduled to begin later this week, but already, volunteers have been putting in many hours to make sure the event runs smoothly.
“There’s a whole group of volunteers here before the festival begins,” said La Kermesse Treasurer Donna Dion.
La Kermesse President Priscille Gagnon stood last Saturday in the kitchen, which she called “the hub of the field.”
“It’s the first thing that gets set up,” she said.
Volunteers had already been working for about a week at St. Louis Field, where the festival is held, said Gagnon, usually trickling in around 5 or 6 a.m. and working throughout the day until evening.
Those helping out perform a variety of tasks, including setting up tents and fences and leveling out the field to make sure it is safe. Meals are cooked on premises by a volunteer kitchen staff, so that people do not have to leave the field to eat.
Gagnon estimates that the festival has roughly 100 volunteers. The volunteers, both children and adults, include friends and family of festival organizers, municipal workers, and inmates from York County jail.
“We really rely on volunteers,” said Gagnon.
The biggest change to the festival this year is the loss of the free block party, which for 15 years was held in downtown Biddeford. Also gone are the fireworks.
Gagnon and Dion said that the fireworks cost about $30,000, and organizers decided to eliminate them to help cut costs to keep the festival going.
“It was a hard decision,” said Dion.
Organizers passed around buckets to collect donations of spare change from block party attendees last year, but only collected a few thousand dollars.
Gagnon said that “the roots of the festival” are at St. Louis Field, and both she and Dion said there are many activities for people of all ages to enjoy.
Events begin Tuesday with auditions for the La Kermesse Idol singing competition. Auditions continue on Wednesday, and admission to attend is free.
Opening ceremonies, which are also free, will be held on Wednesday. Most activities Thursday though Sunday will require an admission button.
The one exception is Thursday night, when people can enter the amusement ride area for free through the Hill Street gate.
Activities Thursday through Sunday include local musicians, French music, a French cultural tent, a French military encampment and amusement rides.
New events this year include a Native American Powwow and the Magically Medieval magic show. Thursday will feature the first annual brewer’s festival.
On Friday, a parade will begin at 5:30 p.m., traveling though downtown and up to St. Louis Field. Also on Friday, a teen dance will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information on the La Kermesse festival, go to www.lakermessefestival.com.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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