FARMINGTON — Children and families packed Olsen Student Center at the University of Maine at Farmington on Saturday for the 32nd annual Children’s Festival.

Sponsored by the Franklin County Children’s Task Force, there was something to amuse and delight every age, from toddlers to grandparents.

“There’s even ice cream,” one little boy informed his grandmother.

Most years, about 1,500 people attend the four-hour festival, said Renee Blanchet, executive director of the Children’s Task Force.

It may have been cold out with snow on the way, but that didn’t stop the warmth of excitement as local businesses and organizations offered many hands-on or playful activities.

Michelle and Ryan Welch and daughter Mikayla of Jay waited for their second daughter Leah, 5, to get a rainbow painted on her face. 

“We come every year,” Michelle Welch said.

Volunteer staff from Franklin Savings Bank provided tables of face painters along with balloons and small musical instruments to play. The balloons have been a favorite of the children for the past 20 years, one staff member said. It’s the simple things that are always best, she said.

A dance troupe of children called Q-Ts performed as they followed the motions of leader Sue Jones, Farmington’s postmaster. Parents and grandparents watched and photographed the girls as they swung their arms and feet to the music of “Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting.”

Balloons twisted into about 10 different designs attracted a long line in the hall. Rick Merrill of Jay quickly filled and twisted the long balloons into hats and animals.

“The Children’s Task Force always asks me,” he said. “I usually have the longest line.” And he did this year, too: The line stretched down a hall ramp.

Board members and staff from Everyone’s Resource Depot helped children make valentine hats out of a variety of colorful and recycled materials. The two tables were filled as parents helped their youngsters turn paper plates into colorful creations.

It was also a chance to show what Everyone’s Resource Depot has and does, board member Amy Palmer said

Staff from Camp at the Eastward provided arts and crafts for the children and spread the word about their day and overnight camp in Starks.

“This is our 54th summer,” said camp cook Maria James. “We are really accessible and we’re trying to grow.” More information about the camp is available at www.campattheeastward.org.

Members of Farmington Rotary Club were selling slices of pizza for the Children’s Task Force, member Tom Sawyer said.

It usually takes about 60 pizzas, he said. They were made at Farmington House of Pizza and delivered to the festival by state Sen. Tom Saviello.

Outside, members of the Maine Maple Producers Association made maple sugar on snow to treat those entering the festival. Farmington Fire and Rescue parked a firetruck for the children to see.

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