BIDDEFORD — Although the weather did not fully cooperate and attendance was not as high as was hoped for, the 29th annual La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival this past weekend was deemed a success, said the festival board’s president.
With its new downtown location and some other changes that were made this year, the festival’s board is hopeful that the three-day event will continue to grow.
This year was about rebuilding the image of La Kermesse, said the festival’s Executive Board President Jessica Quattrone. Troubles in recent years, such as with finances and leadership, led to the worst-attended festival in the event’s history last year.
And though the rebuilding process still has a way to go, “I feel like we’re back,” said Quattrone. “I got so many good comments and feedback. We feel really positive.
“We reinvented ourselves here.”
A parade on Friday night, which for the first time encompassed both Biddeford and Saco, led off the festivities. Unfortunately, the overcast sky kept some people indoors. But those who braved the weather had smiles on their faces as they waved to the Red Claws and Patriots mascots, listened to the Dunlap Highland Band bagpipers and The Alumni Band and watched the parade pass by.
On Saturday, the morning rain led to a slow start, but attendance picked up when the sky cleared around noon. Quattrone said there was a good crowd on Saturday who turned out to watch the fireworks, which were held for the first time in a few years, and for other evening events.
City Council President Bob Mills said he took one of his sons to the festival.
“It looked like it was going very well,” he said.
The new venue, the city-owned Mechanics Park, looked like it was well-maintained, said Mills. Possible damage to the venue was one of the concerns voiced by the City Council prior to granting the festival permission to use the site.
“I feel like it’s going to be a great location” for La Kermesse, said Mills.
He said he especially liked that the festival was linked to the Sidewalk Arts Festival that was held in Saco on Saturday, the Biddeford ArtWalk on Friday night and the BiddeFair Arts & Crafts Festival in Shevenell Park on Saturday.
“I look forward to it being a huge success,” he said.
There were some who had visited the festival in the past who said they missed the bigger event with amusements, such as when the festival was held at its former location at St. Louis Field.
Steve and Betty Jewett from Massachusetts, who were staying at Hills Beach, brought their two young children to Mechanics Park on Saturday.
“It’s a little disappointing,” said Betty Jewett. “It was great five years ago. It used to be very crowded.”
Steve Jewett said he wished there were rides that were more appropriate for the age of his children, but, he said, “I think it should continue.”
Sherry Pinard, from Biddeford, who was attending the festival with her family, had a more positive take.
“It’s so much fun. I’m happy that it’s happening again,” she said.
Heather Prejean of Saco also had an optimistic outlook.
“It’s more of a community atmosphere,” she said. A few “tweaks” were needed, said Prejean, but she thought the new location for the festival was a “good fit.”
Jim Ward and Jerry MacDowell, both from Alfred, were enthused about the festival at its new location. On Saturday afternoon they were sitting on a bench in Mechanics Park watching a band play on stage.
“I think it’s the best one so far,” said Ward about La Kermesse.
“I like where it is,” said MacDowell. “I like the scenery, I like where it sits. I like everything about it,” she said.
“I wish they’d take it all the way up Main Street,” said Ward. “I wish the city of Biddeford would get behind it. It could be as good as the (Yarmouth) Clam Festival if they did it right.”
A major goal for this year’s festival was to break even, said Quattrone, and she’s hopeful that has been accomplished.
Other less tangible goals were to “rebuild our image, rebuild our credibility,” she said. “I hope this helped.”
Quattrone said festival volunteers are ready to start planning for next year’s event, which will mark the 30th anniversary. They hope to make a big event, she said.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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