FARMINGTON — Preparations are under way for the first Farmington Fire & Ice Festival on Saturday, March 9, in the downtown area.

The day features fun, family activities, including snow tubing between Front and Main Streets, an ice-carving demonstration by Wicked Good Ice, dog sled rides, a road race and snowshoe races. Fireworks will top off the festival at 6:20 p.m. over Prescott Field.

Cabin fever and a tough economy are the reasons for the festival, explained John Moore for the Farmington Downtown Association, sponsor of the event.

“It’s family oriented,” he said.

Downtown stores and restaurants will also host special sales throughout the day.

Most events are free. Others involve a small cost or purchase of a festival pass for $5 to help pay for activities, including the fireworks, he said.

Information and sales of the passes begins at 11 a.m. at a booth in front of Franklin Savings Bank on Main Street. The pass includes a scavenger hunt, free s’mores served at the Snack Shack at Prescott Field and a performance by comedian Randy Judkins at Narrow Gauge Cinema. There are two performances, 5 and 5:40 p.m., but seating is limited and audience members must have a festival pass, he said.

The pass also includes free raffle tickets for prizes at several downtown businesses and a gift certificate sale at Narrow Gauge Cinema.

An ice-carving demonstration by Wicked Good Ice takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. in front of Franklin Savings Bank.

A 5K Road Race begins at noon at the University Credit Union on High Street. There is a $10 registration fee. Registration begins at 11 a.m.

Snowshoe races with snowshoes provided take place from 3 to 4 p.m. at Prescott Field. Participants sign up at the Snack Shack.

A snowman-making contest takes place from noon to 3 p.m. on the lawn of the Pierce House on Main Street. There’s an indoor children’s carnival at The Paper White Room from 1 to 4 p.m. and free hot chocolate and cooking decorating from noon to 3 p.m. in the lobby of Bangor Savings Bank.

Horse drawn wagon rides are available from 1 to 4 p.m., thanks to a donation from Divine Inspirations on Front Street, he said.

Dog sled rides on Prescott Field are also available for a $5 charge per person. People must sign up in advance at the information booth.

A bonfire is planned from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at the Snack Shack at Prescott Field.

A group of students from the University of Maine at Farmington and the Maine Fire Dance Collective will perform fire dances from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

A complete listing of events and store sales is available online at www.farmingtonfireandicefestival.net.

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