KENNEBUNK — If you’re looking to get a head start on Saturday’s festivities in Kennebunk, you’re going to need a big breakfast. Luckily for you, a big helping of pancakes from Kennebunk mainstay Duffy’s Tavern & Grill is just one of the many traditions the May Day festival has to offer.
After you’ve gotten your morning sugar (and caffeine) fix, you’ll have the energy to explore craft markets in Rotary and Lafayette Parks ”“ or, if you’re especially ambitious, scramble up a rock climbing wall in the Waterhouse Center. Once you’ve seen a exhibition by the police department, taken in some of the live music (and of course watched the entire Kennebunk Little League parade down Main street) hunger might be creeping in again ”“ but Ned’s Lobster Bake and BBQ’s afternoon pig roast has you covered. Of course, that’s if you’re able to resist the food you see everywhere you walk.
Linda Johnson, chair of the Downtown Committee, has been organizing the May Day festival since it began in 1998. She said it has grown substantially in the past several years.
“(Back then) the whole day probably took 2 or 3 hours. Now we’re up to a full day schedule and use end one of town to the other ”“ it’s absolutely blossomed into this huge downtown event for Kennebunk,” Johnson said.
This year she’ll have the additional advantage of the Waterhouse Center, the town’s new open-air pavilion, which will host a number of events on May Day.
“It’s so exciting to have something like that on Main Street that everyone loves. It’s wonderful and I can’t thank Mrs. Waterhouse enough.”
Highlights of the festival include the Portland School of Ballet in Lafayette Park, which will be performing some Maypole dancing, as well as the Faerie Festival at Kennebunk Free Library, where children can make faerie crowns.
The May Day festival is an important moment for Kennebunk to shake off the winter cold and isolation, according to Johnson, and she’s grateful for the support.
“I can’t thank the town and merchants (enough for the) help ”“ we’re not funded by the town and it’s because of the generosity of the people that live here that makes it happen ”¦ and the very committed committee,” she said.
A full schedule of events can be found at kenenbunkmaine.us/mayday.
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