BIDDEFORD — Art, music, food and outdoor activities are on the lineup Friday and Saturday at River Jam.

River Jam is a free family-friendly annual event held in downtown Biddeford.

“It’s a great end-of-summer event to bring people to the downtown and celebrate community and life on the river,” said Delilah Poupore, executive director of downtown organization Heart of Biddeford.

The fun begins Friday with Fringe Fest, through a partnership between Engine arts organization and Heart of Biddeford. The arts festival will run from 5 – 7:30 p.m. in downtown Biddeford with gallery openings, face painting, crafts, music, a fashion show and other activities.

 

Bandaloop aerial dancers perform on the side of One City Center in Portland in 2017. Bandaloop will perform in Biddeford on Friday. LIZ GOTTHELF PHOTO

Bandaloop a vertical aerial dance group using climbing technology will perform at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday on the side of the Lofts at the Levee building, 1 Upper Falls Road.

On Saturday, activities begin at 10 a.m. with Dash to the Sea, a paddleboard race on the river. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a wide range of fun family-friendly activities. Mechanics Park, at the corner of Main and Water streets. Live music, magic, dance and theater performances are scheduled throughout the day, and community booths will be set up to provide information about local organizations. A wet obstacle course will be set up from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and a makers market will be at the park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A block away from Mechanics Park there will be canoes and life jackets available to use for free at Rumery’s Boat Yard for those who want to go out on the river. Tickets can be purchased for boat cruises scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center is hosting Cultural Cuisine from 1- 3 p.m. Saturday at Mechanics Park. Event goers will get 10 free tickets to use at any of the ten food stations, which will feature cuisine from Angola, Italy, Jamaica, England, Greece and Iraq as well as a Franco-American dish, said BCHC member Debbie Letalien.

There will be a beer garden, live music and a food truck court at Mechanics Park from 4 – 9 p.m. A fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. The La Kermesse food truck will be on site from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Part of what makes River Jam extra fun is all the people who partner with us,” said Poupore.

Heart of Biddeford collaborates with La Kermesse, Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center, Subcircle, Biddeford Recreation, City of Biddeford, Engine and the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, and receives support from many local sponsors.

On Friday, use code FRINGE23 for 50 percent off at the Pearl Street parking garage. On Saturday, use code RIVERJAM23 for 50 percent off the parking garage and city parking lots. Be sure to enter Zone P4301 when using the parking garage.

River Jam and Fringe Fest Road Closure Announcement

Friday, Aug. 18: Main Street will be closed from Alfred Street through Washington Street. Franklin Street will be closed from Main Street to the Palace Diner. All roads closed 3 - 10 p.m. There will be no parking on that section of Main Street after 2 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 19: Water Street will be closed to traffic from Main Street to High Street from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Drivers on Piersons Lane and Sullivan Street will not be able to exit onto Water Street. Vehicles exiting High Street will only be able to take a right turn onto Water Street.

Main Street will remain open throughout the festival, except for the 20 minutes of the fireworks, 9:30-9:50 p.m. Cars will not be able to exit onto Main Street from the mill buildings at 2 Main St. Biddeford or 100 and 105 Main St. in Saco during this period.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.