The event marked a return to continuity after the festival was stopped in 2010 because of excessive damage caused to the grass at St. Louis Field. Prior to that the festival had run annually since the 1980s.
President of the La Kermesse Board of Directors Jessica Quattrone said she was pleased with the turnout over the weekend, despite the numbers being lower than years past.
“We’re in the process of rebuilding right now and we can’t expect the numbers right now that we used to see when we were on this field during all the years before 2009,” said Quattrone. “Not a lot of people realize that the festival is back, but the word is definitely getting out, and the numbers are better than last year.”
The festival kicked off on Thursday with the traditional Block Party and fireworks display at Mechanics Park, followed by music and a parade Friday evening. On Saturday and Sunday guests took to Waterhouse field for carnival rides, while others enjoyed food from a handful of vendors at St. Louis Field. Over a dozen bands from across the region played on two separate stages from noon till night.
This year attendees were able to enjoy a cold beer in a beer tent after the Biddeford Council’s decision to amend an ordinance allowing alcohol on city fields for such occasions. Prior to the festival’s six-year hiatus, the beer tent had always been a beacon of the festival grounds, and patrons had expressed a desire for it once more.
“It’s not what makes the festival, but it’s a nice added feature,” Quattrone said. “Coming back here last year it wasn’t even on our radar, it was when a little 87-year-old grandmother on Sunday morning stopped me and said, ‘you know, this festival’s been great, but there’s one thing missing, I’d like to have a beer.’”
While adults enjoyed the beer tent, the festival contained an abundance of activities for children, ranging from carnival games and prizes to petting zoos and pony rides.
Youngster Jackson Pierce and his mother Melissa of Waterboro were attending for Jackson’s first time on Saturday.
“I have been before long ago, but this is his first time and he’s absolutely loving it,” Pierce said after Jackson had won a stuffed animal from a dart throwing game.
Quattrone said she expects the festival to carry on every year again as long as the La Kermesse board can keep getting new volunteer members.
“My hope is that our board can continue. Our numbers are down, it’s a volunteer basis but it’s fun and we’re a big family,” Quattrone said. “But this is almost like a legacy, I want this to be around for my kids as well as everyone else’s.”
— Staff Writer Ryder Schumacher can be reached at 282-1535, or via email at rschumacher@journaltribune.com.
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