Greater Gardiner River Festival expands offerings for 2014
GARDINER — In a day-long celebration on Gardiner’s Historic Water Street and Waterfront Park, Gardiner Main Street, Gardiner Rotary and Johnson Hall will present live music and entertainment on three stages, a craft fair and activities for all ages on and near the Kennebec River.
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Items from Gardiner Main Street’s popular “Ride Into Summer” have been folded into this year’s River Festival including an opportunity for members of the public to crown “Gardiner’s Best Pizza”. The event kicks off of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual summer celebration of the riverfront communitites, known as the “Whatever” Family Festival.” The Greater Gardiner River Festival, sponsored by US Cellular of Gardiner, is set for 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday.
Organizers continue to expand creative offerings ranging from trying a stand up paddleboard to chainsaw sculpture demonstrations and free boat rides on the river. Event-goers can spend part or all of their day in Gardiner. Historic Water Street will be transformed into a pedestrian mall with artists, crafters and specialty food vendors exhibiting their products from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be entertainment and childrens’ activities on Water Street and in Gardiner’s Waterfront Park.
“Late June is the perfect time to spend a day on the beautiful Kennebec River” says Gardiner Main Street’s director, Patrick Wright in a press release. “If you’ve heard about some of the recent changes in Downtown Gardiner, but haven’t had the chance to visit yet, this is a great opportunity to see what we have to offer.”
Saturday events planned:
Food and novelty vendors and community organizations, all day, Waterfront Park
Pancake breakfast, 8-10 a.m., Christ Episcopal Church
Women of Christ Church yard sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Frosty’s Donuts grand opening, 9 a.m., 347 Water St.
Yard sale, Boys and Girls Keystone Club, 9 a.m.-noon, Pray St.
Library Book Sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Gardiner Library
Fallen Riders Ceremony, Blessing of the Motorcycles, charity ride, 9-11 a.m.
United Martial Arts Demonstration, 10-10:45 a.m., Water St.
Giant tiger slide, 10 a.m.-8:20 p.m., Waterfront Park
Dunk tank, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Waterfront
Gardiner Main Street Arts and Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Water St.
Community organization showcase, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Waterfront Park
Coast Guard vessel tours, 10a.m.-4 p.m., Waterfront
Children’s games and bounce house, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Waterfront Park
Gardiner Robotics Club demonstrations, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Water St.
Kids’ art projects, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Johnson Park
Ampersand Academy dance performance, 11 a.m., Johnson Park
Denny Buster Challenge, noon, Water St.
Balloon animal twisting, noon-2 p.m., Water St.
Paddleboard/kayak demos, noon, 4 p.m., Waterfront
Live music — False Alarm, noon- 1 p.m., Waterfront Main Stage
“Free”-ingo tent with prizes, noon, 6 p.m., Waterfront
Free boat rides on the Kennebec, 1-5 p.m., Waterfront
Chainsaw sculpture demonstrations, 1-5 p.m., Waterfront
Live music — Poke Chop and the Other White Meats, 1:45-3:15 p.m., Waterfront Main Stage
Live music in Johnson Park — Doug Birgfeld, 2-2:45 p.m.
Bike rodeo, 2-3:30 p.m., Gardiner Police Department, Waterfront
Gardiner Fire Department ladder truck demonstration, 2-4 p.m., Waterfront
Steve Corning — juggling, comedy and music, 3-3:45 p.m., Waterfront
Live music in Johnson Park, 3 p.m.
Gardiner Farmer’s Market, 3-6 p.m., Gardiner Common
Live music from Bishop Avenue, 3:30-5 p.m., Waterfront Main Stage
Help crown “Gardiner’s Best Pizza” — People’s Choice Award, 5-6:30 p.m., various locations
Johnson Hall Talent Show, 6:30-8:45 p.m., Waterfront Park Amphitheater Stage
Fireworks on the Waterfront, 9 p.m.
Live music from Alter Igor, 9:30-11 p.m., Waterfront Main Stage
For more information, visit www.gardinermainstreet.org.
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