River Jam 2021: All You Need to Know!
River Jam returns to Biddeford Aug. 20-21, 2021 with an incredible celebration of life on the Saco River! Reprising our community’s plans to celebrate Maine’s Bicentennial, Heart of Biddeford is thrilled to host River Jam with the following partners: La Kermesse, Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center, Engine, Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce.
All events on Friday and Saturday are free and open to the public!
Friday, August 20th is Fringe Fest, located on Main Street & Shevenell Park.
Fringe Fest is a performing arts-laced evening, produced by Engine: Propelling the Creative Community in partnership with the Heart of Biddeford… two downtown organizations coming together to build community via the arts! The River Jam Fringe Fest provides a canvas for the performing arts community to showcase their talents with interactive performances and demonstrations in Shevenell Park and on Main Street.
Come experience diverse artistic offerings – an array of musical acts, a community weaving, visual arts, spoken word, dance, and more.
Plus, enjoy a beverage in the beer garden hosted by Cowbell and Sublime Taco, and some pie at our Pie Luck (a potluck of pies). (Want to bring a pie? Sign up here, the more the merrier!)
Fringe Fest will take place on Main Street and Shevenell Park; between Alfred and Washington Streets. Paid parking in all City lots but street parking is free and unrestricted after 4pm. See map for traffic access and detours.
Fringe Fest is focused on the performing arts. Fringe gives a spotlight to theater, dance, music, visual arts, spoken word, and more. Fringes don’t have a focus on one single discipline or genre, but are an arts smörgåsbord!
See the full schedule of Fringe Fest here. It’s constantly being added to, so check back often for updates!
Fringe Fest is proudly sponsored by Town & Country Federal Credit Union and supported by a NEA Challenge America grant.
Saturday, Aug. 21 is the River Jam Festival in Mechanics Park.
River Jam returns to Biddeford Aug. 20-21, 2021 with an incredible celebration of life on the Saco River! Reprising our community’s plans to celebrate Maine’s Bicentennial, Heart of Biddeford is thrilled to host River Jam in conjunction with 3 more local organizations: Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center, Engine, and La Kermesse!
All events on Friday and Saturday are free and open to the public!
Saturday, Aug. 21 is the River Jam Festival in Mechanics Park.
We start the day at Noon with live music, dance performances and kid’s activities. Browse local vendors and meet some amazing community groups! Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center has coordinated a Cultural Cuisine tent with free tastes from Biddeford’s diverse communities or grab crepes from La Kermesse’s La Cuisine. Take a horse drawn wagon ride to try a boat at Rumery’s Boat Yard then take a ride on the River Rush giant slip and slide!! Enjoy all this while listening to amazing bands on the Main Stage.
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the evening in Mechanics Park features popular Maine bands, several food trucks, and local brews/wines in the Beer & Wine Garden. The night culminates with fireworks at 9 p.m. provided by La Kermesse.
Saturday Main Stage Schedule:
- 12:00 PM Dance House Productions and music performances by local youth
- 1:30 PM Samuel James (Blues and roots guitar master)
- 3:00 PM Half Moon Jug Band (Crowd-pleasing, upbeat folk)
- 4:30:00 PM Joe K Walsh Trio (A bluegrass adventure)
- 6:15:00 PM LOVE BY NUMB3RS (Dusty blues, graceful folk, combined with rootsy rock)
- 8:00 PM Jimmyjo and the Jumbol’ayuhs (Cajun Louisiana with a Downeast accent)
- 9:00 PM Fireworks provided by La Kermesse
Once again, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution as well as Biddeford Savings (a division of Maine Community Bank) are the River Jam Presenting Sponsors, with Town & Country Federal Credit Union as Fringe Fest Presenting Sponsor.
River Jam Gold Level Sponsors: Lincoln Lofts, Pepperell Mill Campus, Riverdam, Port Properties, Pearl Street Riverfront District, UNE, Prime Motor Group and Angelrox/Suger and Southern Maine Health Care.
River Jam Silver Level Sponsors: Saco Valley Credit Union, Think Tank and Tulu Salon & Spa.
This event would not be possible without the support of the City of Biddeford, the City Council, Recreation Department, and Public Works Department.
This year’s planning efforts are a collaboration between Heart of Biddeford, La Kermesse, Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center, Engine and the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce.
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Learn more about Covid-19 precautions being taken at River Jam!
