Packed schedule for clam fest

Races, pancakes, arts and crafts, music and, of course, clams, plus much more, all will be featured this year at the 49th annual Yarmouth Clam Festival, Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20.

Opening ceremonies are Friday at 10 a.m. There are dozens of events scheduled, as well as the carnival, throughout the day, with the parade stepping off at 6 p.m. on Main Street. Two pancake breakfasts kick off Saturday at 7 a.m. Other events in the busy day include a road race, fine arts show, crafts show, clam-shucking contest, firefighters muster, music and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Sunday also features two pancake breakfasts, a bike race, cooking demonstration, diaper derby, music and more.

The Mallett Brothers Band will perform two shows. The first is before the festival – Wednesday, July 16, at 6 p.m., in the Royal River Park. Rain date is July 17. They’ll perform again Saturday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m., at the festival’s North Yarmouth Academy stage. Among the many other musicians playing at the clam festival are Lily Faith Milne, Friday at 11:30 a.m. at the NYA Tent; Amy and the Engine, Friday at 8:15 p.m. at Memorial Green; Gunther Brown, Friday at 8:15 p.m. at NYA Tent; The Not Dead Yet Band, Saturday at 3 p.m. at Memorial Green Tent; Cindy Bullens, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Green Tent; and Jerks of Grass, Sunday at 4 p.m. at Memorial Green Tent.

For full schedule, see www.clamfestival.com.

Meanwhile, the police department issued a reminder that the festival creates a sizeable influx of people, and that residents should take a few extra moments to ensure that their houses, cars and belongings are secured.

Recycling volunteers needed at festival

The town’s Recycling Committee is seeking volunteers for the Recycling/Food Composting collection site at the Yarmouth Clam Festival. Two-hour shifts run Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19, from, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, July 20, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, see http://www.yarmouth.me.us.

Music and more at park

The Summer Art Series, featuring free outdoor performances at the Royal River Park (unless noted otherwise), begins July 2. Rain dates for Wednesday evening shows are the following evening unless noted otherwise. Rain location for 11 a.m. shows is indoors at Yarmouth Elementary School. On the schedule are:

July 2: Lindsay’s Puppet Pals, 11 a.m.; Monday Night Posse, 6 p.m.

July 9: Reifer & Saccone, comedy and juggling, 11 a.m.; Mama’s Boomshack, 6 p.m.

July 16: Kids Beats with Carol, 11 a.m.; the Mallett Brothers Band, 6 p.m.

July 23: UNK Red Wagon’s Nightengale, 11 a.m.; Port City Jazz, 6 p.m.

July 30: 317 Main Street Music, 11 a.m.; the Awesome, 6 p.m.

Call Yarmouth Community Services for more information, 846-2406.