In Maine, we celebrate the beautiful summer with scores of family festivals, county fairs and many other events. From northern to southern Maine, we have a proud history and rich legacy for a resourcefulness in promoting every product and worthwhile cause. It seems our festivals, fairs and events continue to gain momentum.

Vacationers look forward to Maine festivals, and we like meeting their interest. Tourism brings vitality and stands as a growing industry.

Our cities have a long tradition of focusing on education, art, business, civic and community affairs. Each achievement requires a great deal of planning, time, energy, knowledge, enthusiasm and personal involvement. It never stops happening in our community, as we try to enrich the quality of life by being responsible neighbors. We connect with each other through our social networking sites. Social media is increasingly important for engaging business and events, for getting the word out, and for real time information.

We have dedicated individuals, and that collective diligence strives to develop future audiences, donors, volunteers and leaders. Their combined efforts help present The La Kermesse Franco American Festival, which celebrates Biddeford’s proud Franco-American heritage. The festival will be held June 26-29.

The festival is still accepting those creative types ”“ vendors and crafters. Those interested should contact Lauren Cote at 423-3289, and anyone interested in participating in the parade is asked to contact Dave Jordan at 229-2402. For more information about the festival, visit www.lakemessefestival.com.

The Heart of Biddeford’s annual fundraising event “Secret Spaces Haunted Places” is a real hair-raiser! This tour of downtown Biddeford includes the mill lagoon and the City Hall clock tower. Tours will be offered Saturday, May 31, and tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets, or at the Heart of Biddeford office, 205 Main St., Suite 103, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. See further details in the calendar at right.

Later this year, the Heart of Biddeford’s “Chalk on the Walk” will feature sidewalk chalk art in the downtown.

For more on this and other events, visit www.heartofbiddeford.org.

Also on the summer schedule in Biddeford is the annual Bacon Street Festival, featuring many activities for families and children. All ages are invited. It is free and open to the public. For more information, call 284-9105.

I would also like to remind folks about the Ray Lund Exhibit at Biddeford City Hall, on display for one more week, through May 24. An award-winning teacher and artist, Lund has many talents. He received the awards for Art Educator of the Year and Technology Teacher of the Year. Congratulations, Ray! We are tremendously fortunate for such a knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated individual.

And now, as we ready for this summer season, Doris Buonomo of the Southern Maine Health Care Auxiliary would like to remind folks of the simple pleasure of gardening, fresh flowers and other plants. The auxiliary’s fifth annual plant sale will take place on Thursday, June 5 at the Biddeford Campus, 1 Medical Center Drive.

Buonomo said volunteers and supporters are working hard toward planning the upcoming sale, and they are still asking for donations of annual and perennial plants, indoor plants, garden-related items or monetary donations.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.