The annual Richmond Days festival brought hundreds of folks to the banks of the Kennebec River to celebrate their community this past weekend.

From bouncy houses and squirt guns fights to lobster crate races and live music, the festival had something for everyone. The sun was shining, food was frying and kids were playing, all amongst the backdrop of the river.

“We want to highlight the Kennebec and the waterfront with our festival,” said Victoria Boundy, community and business director for the town of Richmond. Activities included the Swan Island 5k, canoe and kayak contest, and scavenger hunts on the island.

“We have a lot of people going back and forth (to Swan’s Island) to enjoy Richmond Days,” said Jazmyn Atteberry, the Swan Island ferry driver, on Saturday. “We have a local historian out on Swan who gives you a whole overview of the island. He does a really good job of connecting the history Richmond, Swan Island and Dresden across the river.”

Tours of the island went on throughout the day, and many folks chose to set up tents on the island and camp for the evening. They were treated to a fireworks display just after dark on Saturday.

A parade rolled through town at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the streets were lined with families watching the floats and firetrucks slide past. A popular perch to watch was out front of the Southard House museum. When the parade was through, festival- goers were treated to free tours of the Victorian-age shipbuilder’s mansion, a lynchpin of the late 1800s shipyard community. Richmond

Police Chief Scott MacMaster provided wildlife photos, which were on display throughout the house.

“We try to do a lot of fun stuff like that for Richmond Days,” said Becca Case, assistant curator at the Southard House museum. Museum staff hosted a concert across the street later on Saturday, and the G3eks!, an ‘ 80s band, rounded out the evening with a concert down at the waterfront.