Yarmouth Clam Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yarmouth Clam Festival |
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Logo of the 2015 festival
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"Steamer" the clam at the 2018 parade
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| Genre | Fundraising |
| Dates | Third weekend in July |
| Location(s) | Yarmouth, Maine, U.S. |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Website | ClamFestival.com |
The Yarmouth Clam Festival is a big yearly event in Yarmouth, Maine. It happens for three days every July, starting on the third Friday. This festival began in 1965. It was created to help raise money for about thirty local groups. These groups include non-profit organizations, churches, and school clubs.
The festival brings many visitors to Yarmouth. The town usually has about 9,000 people. But during the festival weekend, around 80,000 people visit! Some local people even put out chairs weeks early to save their spot for the Friday evening parade.
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About the Clam Festival
The main part of the festival takes place along the town's Main Street. Many booths are set up. They offer food, drinks, and items for sale. These booths stretch for about a mile.
Delicious Food and Treats
Over the years, different groups have become known for selling special foods.
- The Barbershop Harmony Society sells Lime Rickeys.
- The Yarmouth Lions Club offers Lemon Lucy slush.
- First Parish Church sells strawberry shortcakes and various pies.
- The Yarmouth Ski Club offers whole fried clams.
- The Boy Scouts of America sell pizza.
- Different grades from Yarmouth High School sell cheeseburgers, hotdogs, French fries, chicken fingers, and soft drinks.
Fun Activities and Events
The festival has many exciting things to do.
- A big parade happens on Friday evening.
- On Saturday morning, there is a one-mile fun run for kids aged twelve and under.
- There is also a five-mile road race for ages thirteen and over.
- Saturday afternoon features a People's Muster and clam-shucking contests.
- A wonderful fireworks display lights up the sky on Saturday evening.
- Sunday morning has a diaper derby for babies.
- There is also a professional bicycle race on Sunday morning.
A carnival is part of the fun too. It runs from Wednesday until Sunday. The carnival is held at the Rowe School grounds. It is run by Smokey's Greater Shows.
Festival Art and Mascot
Each year, a local artist paints the cover for the festival's program. The painting usually shows a scene from the previous year's event.
Since 2004, the festival's official mascot has been "Steamer" the clam. He is a friendly clam who represents the festival.
Recent Festival History
The festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These were the first cancellations ever. The festival returned in 2022 for its 55th celebration.
Gallery
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Main Street after the 2018 parade, looking west
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Food stalls at the 2018 festival
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Chairs set out for the parade
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A pipe band in the 2016 parade
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A fire truck in the 2018 parade
