BINGHAM — The Upper Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce and Bingham will celebrate the town’s Bicentennial July 22-29.

The town will kick off its nine-day festival Friday with the following events scheduled:

Friday, July 20

* Author Walter MacDougal will discuss the Somerset Railroad’s influence on Bingham and the central Maine area. The talk is set for 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.

Saturday, July 21

* A Geocaching Clinic will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Upper Kennebec Valley High School. Students can learn the elements of using Global Positioning System devices to locate prizes.

* A scavenger hunt is set for 10 a.m. at Quimby Field. Elementary school students can locate items by using clues during the timed event. Children will be divided by age.

* A Children’s Doll Carriage and Bicycle Parade is set for 10-11:30 a.m. Children in pre-K through grade 3 can decorate bicycles or doll carriages and parade from St. Peter’s parking lot to the nursing home, then up Owens Street and end at Quimby School. Rain date: 10 a.m., Monday, July 23.

* Franco American Festival will be 1-3 p.m. at Quimby Field. La Famille with Marcel et Chantal! A musical celebration of Franco-American heritage.

Friday, July 17

* Crafters will be at the Bingham Motor Inn and Sports Complex, U.S. Route 201.

Saturday, July 28

* A fishing derby will begin at dawn on Wyman Lake. There will be a raffle for a chance to win (age 16 and younger) a Maine Resident Youth Lifetime Fishing License. Tickets for the derby cost $5, raffle tickets cost $1. For more information, call Chet Hibbard at 672-3312.

Following the Parade will be the Duckee Derby Race in Austin Stream. First-place winner will receive $250, second place will win $150 and third place will win $100. Duckees are on sale for $5 each or $50 for a flock of 12.

For more information, visit binghammaine.org.