Mark your calendar for June 16th and 17th for the 41st Somersworth International Children’s Festival and pre-festival Celebration!

Friday night’s Celebration starts at 6 p.m. at Somersworth High School, with live  entertainment featuring Wildlife Encounters and Bad Breath Microphone, tasty food, and a spectacular fireworks display! Bring your blankets and enjoy the show!

On Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Main Street in Somersworth will be transformed into a vibrant street filled with lots of fun for the kids, yummy food, craft and retail vendors, educational exhibits, and talented street performers. Many community organizations and businesses will be providing free children’s activities. In the early childhood area, the little ones can blow bubbles, draw pictures, make crafts, play in the sand, and be entertained by Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals. The World Cultures Passport Center will give kids an opportunity to get a mini passport with their picture on it and learn about many countries, make crafts, and win raffle prizes.

Main Street will have two stages. The Main Stage will feature two popular local bands, The Visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Middleman from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The World Cultures Stage will feature local and regional entertainment, including McDonough-Grimes Irish Dancers at 10:30, Carol Coronis and Gene Guth at 11:00,

Indonesian music and entertainment at noon, Theo Martey from Akwaaba Ensemble at 2:15, and Philip Alexander and the Wild Things at 3:00. A free shuttle will provide transportation back and forth from Main Street to the Noble Pines Park.

There will be lots more fun at the Noble Pines Park from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! The Pines Stage will have a great lineup of favorite kids’ entertainers, including Juggler Linda Peck at 11:00, Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate at noon, Tricky Dick’s Magic Show at 1:00, and Steve Blunt and Marty Kelley at 2:00. Wildlife Encounters and the petting zoo will be back again this year! There will also be food, plus free activities for the little ones.

This event is being hosted by the Somersworth Festival Association and supported by Major Sponsors Service Credit Union and the City of Somersworth and many other local businesses and organizations.