RICHMOND

From pontoon boat rides in the Kennebec River to a monster truck demonstration at Richmond Raceway, this weekend’s Richmond Days has scheduled a variety of events to entertain and engage children and adults of all ages — and most of it is free — and will again conclude Saturday night with a fireworks display.

Admission to Richmond Days, which is held along Front Street and the town’s waterfront park, is free as always. This year’s theme focuses on one of the town’s greatest attributes, the Kennebec River, and is “A River Runs Through It!”

The celebration begins Friday with the start of the farmers market on the waterfront at 3:30 p.m. The market will be located on the park lawn near the gazebo instead of up on the sidewalk to make way for vendors. The annual children’s parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and lines up at the Richmond Utilities District on Front Street. Children are invited to dress up in honor of this year’s Richmond Days theme. From 7 to 9 p.m., Paddy Mills will provide musical entertainment.

Saturday’s events begin with the second annual Richmond Area Health Center 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk that starts at 8:30 a.m. at the health center located at 24 Gardiner St. Registration starts at 7 a.m.

Swan Island tours take place at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The cost is $5 and participants should sign up at the state landing.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and assembly starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Richmond High School parking lot. The parade will start from the parking lot and go down Main Street, left on Front Street, left onto Kimball Street through Boynton Street, left on Williams Street and turn right onto Main Street and head back to the high school.

The Richmond Fire Department is holding a fireman’s muster, for children and adults starting at 11 a.m., and will also feature a dunk tank Saturday for which the town’s fire and police chief and local state representatives are already signed up.

From 11 a.m. to noon, Matt Loosigian will provide music for children and adults.

Compass Rose Events is back to provide entertainment throughout the day Saturday. There will be all-day inflatable bouncy houses and slides and Wii gaming. Compass Rose will run the relay games and offer prizes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the waterfront park. A new lazer tag event starts at 11:30 p.m.

Lobster crate races will take place at the waterfront park from noon to 2 p.m. and Bob Hurley will offer free pontoon boat rides at the Richmond Riverfront from noon to 3 p.m. The festival will feature all the usual vendors and novelties, but Richmond Days-goers can also attend a chicken barbecue at the Dresden-Richmond United Methodist Church at 121 Pleasant St. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or head toward the Richmond Senior Center on Front Street to build their own ice cream creation at the Senior Sundae at 2 p.m.

An off-site monster truck demonstration will run from noon to 2 p.m. at Richmond Raceway on Route 197.

Live music will be provided by Roll & Go from 1 to 3 p.m.; by Bad Penny from 4 to 6 p.m.; and from Madcastle from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The fireworks display is scheduled to start at 9:15 p.m.

According to Richmond Police Chief Scott MacMaster, Main Street from Richmond High School to Front Street will be closed off for the parade from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., during which time police will redirect traffic to accommodate the parade. Also, Front Street from the Main Street intersection south to Baker Street will be closed all day Saturday.