SOUTH PORTLAND – In 2011, when community organizer and Willard Square resident Wynne Wirth imagined the first WillardFest in an effort to celebrate the neighborhood, she referred to it as the “First Annual WillardFest” from day one. Now in its third consecutive year, Willard Fest 2013 will take over Willard Square in South Portland on Saturday, July 13, from 3-6 p.m. and Wynne’s wish to unite the neighborhood will live another year.

WillardFest 2013 features a jam-packed three hours of exceptional local food, unique crafts, local exhibits and community groups, activities fun for all ages, and three of the areas’ top musical acts with roots in South Portland. Serious Rooms, Welterweight, and The Substitutes all feature members who either grew up in, or currently reside in or near, Willard Square. Serious Rooms kicks off the music at 3:20 in the music tent. Welterweight follows at 4:20, and The Substitutes wrap things up at 5:20, providing the soundtrack for the now infamous WillardFest Parade. All three bands can be found online at their websites, or on Facebook.

Music and Magic Maine, whose primary purpose is to provide musical instruments and creative opportunities to children in Maine, is sponsoring the “Kid’s Corner.” Creatress Amanda Parkhurst of South Portland has delivered almost four dozen instruments to children all over Maine since 2009. She will be joined by Riverview Foundation in providing fun activities for kids (and adults) of all ages. Everyone is invited to make music (shakers from recycled/found items) and magic (faery houses) from 3-5 p.m. Paper Bull Puppets, also of South Portland, will be joining forces with Music and Magic Maine to create the festive parade that will circle the square at 5:30 p.m.

Willard Fest 2013 promises to carry the message that the original planners envisioned for the festival of “by neighbors and for neighbors.” Mainstay Willard Square businesses and original WillardFest supporters Scratch Baking Co. and Willard Scoops Ice Cream are joined this year by a host of Willard neighborhood supporters, artisans, community groups, and citizens in making WillardFest 2013 the most successful and memorable to date.

Growth of the festival and the energy of new committee members has provided the opportunity for sponsors to help create an ongoing vision of sustainability for the festival moving forward. reVision Heat and reVision Energy, whose partner, Pat Coon, was involved in the first WillardFest and who installed the solar hot water system on the roof of Scratch Baking, are this year’s “Mayors.” Town & Country Federal Credit Union and Bangor Savings Bank join Elsmere BBQ & Smokehouse, The Whole Dog Market, Amy Alward Agency, and Willard Scoops as Community “Leaders” and “Partners.” “Good Neighbors” like Garbage to Garden and the South Portland Energy & Recycling Committee will be on hand to maximize waste reduction and provide education about composting and recycling. The Lyric Theater and The Essential Touch are assisting with promotions and are just a few of the local businesses and organizations that neighbors can get to know at WillardFest 2013.

For a complete list of sponsors, activities, the schedule of events, and contact info, visit willardfest.org or WillardFest on Facebook.

WillardFest returns to South Portland this weekend, taking over Willard Square from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. Courtesy photo

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