RICHMOND

Richmond is turning back the clock this weekend.

The town’s annual community celebration — Richmond Days — kicks off Friday night with a children’s parade at 6:30 p.m., followed by a “Footloose” street dance at 7 p.m. that goes along with the theme of this year’s festivities: “Back to the ’80s.” Friday night’s activities will conclude with the showing of an outdoor movie, “The Never Ending Story,” which will screen at 8:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park.

The ’80s theme will also be evident with the event’s games, which begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Waterfront Park. There will be classic arcade games and an inflatable, life-size Hungry, Hungry Hippos featured at the park. A roller rink, with music, will be set up at the same time on Main Street.

Laurisa Loon, Richmond’s executive assistant, has been involved in the planning of Richmond Days for 12 years. She said organizers always look forward to the parade, which will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday.

“We’ve encouraged a lot of creativity with the floats,” said Loon. “We always look forward to that. We can’t win obviously because we’re staff, but we like to think we can.”

A food drive for the Richmond Food Pantry will take place during the parade. That idea came from a Richmond 8-year-old who helped organize a similar one at a Christmas tree lighting that brought in more than 1,300 items.

Saturday morning’s 5K race — which takes place at 8 a.m. — is another event that will benefit a community organization, with its proceeds going to the Richmond Area Health Center.

Also taking place Saturday morning are a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m., a 1- mile fun run at 7:45 a.m. and an arts and crafts tent open from 9 a.m. to noon.

A potential new Richmond Days tradition could be starting this year — the Daniel Lamoreau Memorial Corn Hole Tournament.

“We used to have a softball tournament every year,” said Loon. “This year we are replacing it with a corn hole tournament; proceeds go to youth sports in the area.”

The tournament will have two divisions: The pro group from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by the amateur group at noon.

If Richmond Days events are not a benefit for a community organization, they are typically free.

“That’s important, we always try to keep it free,” said Loon. “We want to give back to our town.”

There will be tours of Swan Island, leaving every two hours starting at 11:15 a.m. Saturday. The cost for the tour is $5, payable in cash when signing up at the State Landing. Those taking part in the Swan Island 10K at 8:30 a.m. Sunday will get a chance to explore the island as well.

Events on the docket for Saturday afternoon include a chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., inflatable waterslide and bounce house at Waterfront Park until 6 p.m., lobster crate races from noon to 2 p.m. and pontoon boat rides from noon to 3 p.m.

Closing out Saturday’s fun will be a performance by ’80s cover band Racer-X from 7-9 p.m. at the gazebo, followed by a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. at the waterfront.

Loon said putting Richmond Days together is only possible through collaboration between town staff and community members.

“We all come together,” she said. “I don’t know what I’d do without our public works, fire department and police department’s support.”

For more information about Richmond Days, visit richmondmaine.com/richmond days-celebration.aspx

chris@timesrecord.com