C’est le temps! On June 20, the La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Heritage Festival will launch its 41st festival, bringing Biddeford another long weekend of entertainment, games, rides, and a wide variety of food vendors to create a family-friendly weekend that will excite all ages.

Along with the La Kermesse staples like live music throughout the weekend, the parade on Friday June 21 through the downtown, and a crepe breakfast on Sunday, this year will feature the La Kermesse 5K Road Race, partnered with Youth Full Maine.

“We’ve wanted to bring back the road race for years, and are so excited to be partnering with a great nonprofit organization like Youth Full Maine,” said La Kermesse Board President Jessica Quattrone. “We love this community, and are proud to do what we can to help this great cause.”

When planning the La Kermesse Festival, the all-volunteer Board of Directors works hard to thread the needle between providing what people expect from the festival, and innovating with new acts to make the long weekend on St. Louis Field still feel fresh and exciting.

“Our board spends so much of our monthly meetings throughout the year brainstorming new and exciting forms of entertainment for young and old,” said Quattrone. “When the program is finally done, we want it to have something for everyone.”

New featured entertainment for the 2024 festival include the Studio Two Beatles Tribute Band on Friday evening from 8:30 to 11 p.m., JimmyJo and the Jumbol’Ayuhs will bring some cajun flavored music to the Main Tent on Friday and Saturday, and the Don Campbell Band bringing the hits on Saturday night from 8:30 to 11 p.m. On Saturday night at 9:30 p.m., the festival will hold the annual fireworks display, which will be visible from the field at St. Louis Field during the musical break of the Don Campbell Band.

This year’s festival will also feature new and returning local acts, showcasing the best musicians Maine has to offer. Local favorites like The O Harrows will hit the Main Stage on Thursday night from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. following the Car Show, Thornton Academy student Ariana Cote will take to the Outdoor Stage on Friday night from 8 to 10 p.m., and the festival will again feature the Alumni Band on Sunday.

The festival is proud and excited to welcome newly ordained 13th Bishop of Portland, Bishop James Ruggieri on Sunday, June 23 who will perform the annual Catholic Mass under the Main Tent at 11 a.m.

Day passes to La Kermesse at $8, or a weekend pass button can be purchased for $15. Advanced button sales are now available on the La Kermesse website, www.lakermessefestival.com or at local Biddeford/Saco retailers: Biddeford Hannaford, Rays Market, Peoples Choice Credit Union locations in Biddeford and Saco, Brady’s Screenprint, Maine Community Bank, Saco/Biddeford Savings Bank, and Shaw’s in Saco.

For more information about the festival and the schedule of events, visit www.lakermessefestival.com.

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