The La Kermesse float passes on Jefferson Street in Biddeford as riders wave to spectators during a parade kicking off the 36th annual La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival.

Graham Michael Tremblay, 4, of Biddeford, gets a view of the parade lineup from atop a 1924 American La France chemical and hose truck before the start of the parade.

A parade through downtown Biddeford kicks off the 36th annual La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival on Friday. Paige Lessard, 17, of Biddeford, looks out from her perch on a 1940s Buick Phantom before the start of the parade, in which she was the Grand Marshal. Lessard, who recently graduated from high school and was crowned Miss Holly Teen in the Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant, will be attending University of New England in the fall as a pre-med student. She is also running for Miss Maine Teen in August.

Leah Lambert, 8, of Biddeford, dances with the Steppin' Out Dance Centre during the parade through downtown Biddeford.

Parade watchers sit outside a sub shop on Jefferson Street as a motorcyclist from Kora Shriners passes in the parade.

Girls dance on the Dynasty Dance Centre float as it turns up Alfred Street.