When Richmond Days returns to Richmond this weekend it is bringing vaudeville with it — it’s this year’s theme in fact.
“So it’s a little more active, a little more participatory,” with a Vaudeville edge, she said.
Vaudeville is a type of entertainment popular mainly in the U.S. during the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of specialty acts such as burlesque comedy, song and dance, as well as physical comedy acts and juggling.
The Vaudeville Babes will take the stage at 7 p.m. Friday night at the gazebo, offering a “burlesque lite” performance, Boundy said, that is less risqué and more performance based.
The Dark Follies Vaudeville Troupe will captivate its audience from 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday in Waterfront Park. The Portland-based vaudeville style variety show started in 2008.
“Family friendly while still keeping an edge, Dark Follies features the live music of the Dark Follies (Not Just) Rhythm Orchestra, dancing, juggling, storytelling, sideshow acts, flow artists, fire performers and more,” states the town’s Richmond Days announcement.
On Saturday, the Woodside One Wheelers will perform on unicycles at noon, followed bya1p.m.juggling workshop — both times are later than listed on the original schedule. At 4 p.m. on the waterfront will be an introduction to hula hooping and body juggling.
The Maine Facial
Hair Club will conduct a “Wild and insert Wooly Facial Hair contest” at 6 p.m. Saturday, with bestin categories of full beard, partial beard and mustache, as well as the best fake beard for kids.
A Richmond resident will offer tin-type photography — popular in the 1860s and 1870s — for people interested in having period shots taken. Surrendered Souls Photography will also be on hand to snap pictures using a circus-style backdrop, Boundy said.
The Southard House Museum, located at the corner of Main and Hathorne streets, has been coordinating activities with Richmond Days and will host an artist’s reception at 5 p.m. Friday for local artist Elena Carter. At 3 p.m. Saturday a silent film — with an accompanying pianist — will be shown at the museum. As to what film will be shown — that is a surprise. Seating is limited so people who want to attend the silent film should call the museum ahead to sign up, at 737-8202. The museum is normally open Sundays during the summer.
The Nikki Hunt Band is returning as the headline performer from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, just before the fireworks. The pop and rock cover band covers artists like Joan Jett, Bruce Springsteen, The Doors and U2, and includes a colorful LED hula hoop act.
Other favorite Richmond Days activities will include Swan Island tours, pontoon boat rides and lobster crate races. The Richmond Wrestling Club also will present the first annual “Big Gun” arm wrestling contest to raise money for the club.
And like any festival, Richmond Days would not be complete without a parade. Those taking part in this year’s edition will begin assembling in the high school parking lot at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with the parade kicking off at 10 a.m. Marchers will depart the high school and travel down Main Street. The parade route will turn left onto Front Street, left onto Kimball Street through Boynton Street, left onto Williams Street and right onto Main Street back to the high school.
The second annual Ski’s Shrimp Run also will take place this weekend. Scooters and their riders will rally Saturday morning at the Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Topsham and depart at noon sharp, headed for Richmond Days.
Other events Saturday include bounce houses, waterslide and games for children from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the fire department’s dunk tank and a juried local art and craft sale.
“Richmond residents look forward to this annual event, which always takes place the last Saturday in July,” Boundy said. “It’s a chance for people to bring together the whole family to enjoy our waterfront and have fun. Most of the activities are free. Richmond Days is also a good opportunity for us to showcase our friendly town, with its redeveloped village and beautiful, accessible waterfront, to visitors from around the region and beyond.”
For information on Richmond Days events and for an updated schedule, visit www.richmondmaine.com or the town’s Facebook page.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less