OAKLAND — The committee planning this year’s OakFest is expecting the town’s annual celebration to attract up to 10,000 people.
“The weather is in the right condition this year, and with the three bands we have playing until 10 p.m. on Saturday, we know we’re going to get at least two or three times as many people as we did last year,” said committee Chairwoman Kathy Paradis. Last year, the weekendlong celebration drew more than 3,000 people to the town.
The parade, scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, has about 65 to 70 entrants, with the town police and fire departments, Kora Go Karts and the Shakespeare Group participating. It’s expected to last a little more than one hour.
“Everything’s in pretty good shape,” said Clara Watson, who is co-chairwoman of the parade subcommittee.
Todd Burbank, a committee member, reported that the liquor license was approved for the beer tent for Friday, and he will also work at the tent as a liquor enforcement officer for the Oakland Police Department. A bouncer from the Silver Street Tavern in Waterville also will be there to check IDs.
The street dance on Main Street will follow the parade on Friday and last until 10 p.m.
This year more than 100 vendors signed on for the open-air market, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Among the vendors’ wares and services will be handmade jewelry, walking sticks, massages, henna, a model loon nest and a petting zoo.
“If you can’t find something that interests you, you’ve got a problem,” said the committee co-chairwoman Tina Boag. A number of food vendors also are lined up for Saturday, selling wood-fire pizzas, gourmet apples, Chinese food, and hot dogs and dough boys from the Lions Club.
Three bands will play throughout the day from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Paradis recommends people bring a blanket or a lawn chair if they plan to stay and listen to the bands.
The Paddle, Pedal, Pound the Pavement Triathlon will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday and should be finished by noon. So far, a few more than 30 people have signed up and more are still registering, said the triathlon subcommittee chairwoman Holly MacKenzie. MacKenzie won the title of the strongest woman in Maine in 2012. She said she hopes to get about 50 participants by the time of the event.
Six police officers will be dedicated to the run and two more will be on patrol to help with traffic control at crossings.
The fishing derby on July 16 was a success, subcommittee chairwoman Anne Hammond said. There were around 60 participants, with some starting as early as 5 a.m. Someone did win the grand prize of $500, which will be awarded on Saturday. The children who participated will get trophies around noon Saturday, Hammond said.
“We have something for everybody,” Paradis said.
Madeline St. Amour – 861-9239
mstamour@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @madelinestamour
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