Following success in its inaugural year, the second annual Falmouth Community Fest will take place in Falmouth Community Park on Saturday, June 28. With a focus on strengthening the spirit of community, organizers hope to take this free, all-day celebration to the next level.

“We decided to really kick it up a notch in terms of offerings and entertainment this year,” said Amanda Methot-Vigue, the town’s policy analyst and an event coordinator.

The first event, held at the smaller Tidewater Farms town property, drew 1,000 visitors and positive feedback. This year, the Community Wellness Committee hopes to build off this success and expand the festival. The festival will feature an array of bands, food trucks, art and wellness vendors and activities for children and adults.

The Falmouth Community Fest started after COVID-19 began to slow and people were seeking opportunities to socialize again, said Methot-Vigue. In a survey of the community, many Falmouth residents said they felt they did not know their neighbors. The Community Wellness Committee was tasked with addressing this disconnection, and the first festival was born.

“The Wellness Committee’s motivation has been to create more community connections and social fabric in the town,” said Andrea Ferrante, chair of the Community Wellness Committee. She served as a town councilor from 2016 to 2019.

Ferrante said there are few events in Falmouth that are unrelated to the schools, and sometimes residents view Falmouth as a town without a “center.” She hopes that events like this will draw people out to meet their neighbors of all ages.

This year’s festival will have more offerings for adults, and the Community Wellness Committee hopes to connect more young and childfree adults in Falmouth. The biggest draw for this demographic is the newly added cornhole tournament, put on by Port City Cornhole, in which teams compete in a bracket for a cash prize.

Other activities include a guided walk with Falmouth Land Trust, presentations about Greater Portland Metro’s Metro Connect, and the chance to visit with goats and chicks from a farmstead.

Falmouth Community Park will also have 15 local artists sharing their work, which includes jewelry, woodworking, watercolor and fiber arts. Nine wellness practitioners will have tables at the festival, with expertise ranging between dentistry, reiki and organic dog treats. Seven Falmouth nonprofits will also share their work with attendees.

“Taking care of your body, mind, heart, soul, all that, I think it’s all represented there. Lots of streams of wellness,” said Ferrante.

Visitors will be able to enjoy tunes from five bands and dine from seven food trucks parked around the perimeter. The cuisine will range from ice cream and kettle corn to vegan food and barbecue.

Ferrante said that the goal of the event – bringing the community together – is best accomplished by everyone simply having a good time.

“It’s another event to come have fun at, really. Festival energy, it’s all about having fun and connecting with people and just enjoying the day together,” said Ferrante.