BIDDEFORD — Pony rides, dunk tanks, bounce houses and break dancing were among the fun activities that took place at the Third Annual Bacon Street Festival on Sunday.

The festival grew out of a desire by neighbors and residents of the Bacon Street area to celebrate turning their neighborhood around, said Community Development Director Linda Hardacker. Now it’s something that many in the area look forward to each year.

“I’ve never missed a festival,” said 7-year-old Savannah Jackson of Biddeford.

Bacon Street was one of the city’s most crime-ridden areas before neighbors got together and city resources were marshaled to build parks and a community garden and clean up the neighborhood.

For the past three years, the free festival has been held as a way to acknowledge the work that has been done on Bacon Street and the surrounding neighborhood.

“Every year we get bigger and bigger,” said Kathy Duke, one of the directors of the Stone Soup Food Pantry, and one of the festival committee members. 

A number of fun activities for children took place on Sunday.

Jackson said her favorite activity was the rock climbing wall brought by the U.S. Army National Guard.

National Guardsman Sgt. James Guillerault said he brought the rock climbing wall to the festival last year and the children loved it. Guillerault, who is from Biddeford, said he enjoys helping with the festival.

“It’s my hometown,” he said, adding that when he was asked to participate, “I jumped on it.”

A number of city officials come out to enjoy the sunny day at the festival.

“We’re here supporting the festival,” said City Council President Bob Mills, who attended with his family.

Mayor Joanne Twomey and State Rep. Nancy Sullivan were also present.

“To me this is small town America,” said Sullivan. “This is great. It’s a beautiful summer day. It’s the epitome of how you plan a neighborhood event (with attendance) from the very young in strollers, to young adults with their families, to the elderly.”

“I love this,” said 11-year-old Isabel Auprey, from Saco, about the festival. “I climbed the rock wall. I’ve done everything.”

Auprey and her 9-year-old cousin, Rebekah Libbey, from Biddeford, were enjoying watching the break dance group The Orphanage Crew perform in front of the stage were musical groups performed. Libbey said she was having a fun time at the festival, and like her cousin, she enjoyed climbing the rock wall.

Chara Sterling, Libbey’s 7-year-old friend, also from Biddeford, said her favorite activity was a game where people throw a ball through a hole and win a prize.

The games, prizes and food were all free at the festival. Hardacker, one of the organizers of the event, said the family festival is paid for by sponsors and donations and put on by volunteers.

For instance, members from the Lions Club, one of the participating organizations new to the festival this year, gave out books, puzzles and games to the children at the event.

“I think this is great. It’s a lot of fun,” said Beth McKenna of Saco, who was volunteering at the festival with the Lions Club.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said City Councilor Jim Emerson. “Linda (Hardacker) and others do a great job. People are enjoying being together. There are so many different people from different areas of the city. The kids love it. That’s what it’s all about.”

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.