With a theme of greener living added to the typical fair offerings, the 32nd annual Westbrook Together Days promises to draw big crowds once again this Friday and Saturday.

“It’s the largest event in the community,” said organizer Darryl Wright of People’s United Bank.

Each year, the celebration attracts more than 15,000 people to Riverbank Park downtown.

With three stages, live music and performances will be leading attractions again. Headliners include Motor Booty Affair, Sophomore Beat and Pete Witham and The Cozmik Zombies.

Should the weather cooperate, one of the popular spots is bound to be the dunk tank run by Westbrook Little League.

“There’s usually a line of people waiting to throw or to get (dunked),” Wright said.

Anyone is welcome to take a turn teetering above the tank, and for a buck or two, anyone else can attempt to send him splashing into the water below.

“Another big draw is our auction,” Wright said. Taking place at noon Saturday, the live auction typically offers more than 100 items donated by local businesses.

The younger set is sure to appreciate the carnival rides from DNL Amusements.

“My daughter’s favorites are the Scrambler and the Spinning Apple,” Wright said.

Another kid pleaser will be the pony rides and petting zoo offered by Pony Express.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, the event’s parade heads down Bridge Street onto Main Street, and ends at the park. With a theme of Living the Green Dream, the floats and marchers are sure to be eco-fabulous.

An additional environmentally friendly aspect of the event is the free valet parking for folks who ride a bike to the festival.

“John Brooking puts together the valet parking for the bikes to make things as green as possible,” Wright said. “Parking is hard to find around the festival at peak hours, so we’re trying to get more people to ride their bikes.”

Numerous nonprofits and community groups will set up booths to offer games or sell food, such as hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza.

The event ends with a bang Saturday night, when fireworks brighten the sky over the Presumpscot River. The display, sponsored by Idexx, is scheduled to go off at 9:45 p.m.

Noting that many Westbrook natives return home for the festival, Wright said, “It’s a way for us to celebrate our community and what the citizens of our community are involved in.”

Staff Writer Avery Yale Kamila can be contacted at 791-6297 or at:

akamila@pressherald.com

Follow her on Twitter at:

Twitter.com/AveryYaleKamila

 

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