PITTSFIELD – Work began on next month’s 29th annual Central Maine Egg Festival before the 28th event was even over. “Maybe a little before,” festival president Elaine Taylor said Thursday.

It takes more than a year of planning, she said, to pull off the weeklong festival, which includes more than 20 events spread out from Monday, July 23, to Saturday, July 28.

The Egg Festival annually draws thousands of visitors and has become a reunion for local people.

“I love that aspect of the festival,” said Taylor. “People plan their vacations around Egg Festival week, and you can always count on meeting old friends at the various events.”

Taylor called this year’s event “a stunner” and said everyone is keeping their fingers crossed for good weather.

Last year, a downpour threatened the Big Parade, but the skies cleared in time for afternoon festivities.

This year’s theme, “Eggs Around the World,” has been printed on official T-shirts and memorabilia, which can be obtained at the festival headquarters, Pittsfield Pharmacy.

Taylor said she is particularly impressed with the caliber of entertainment lined up for the festival week. The celebration will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, July 23, with a concert in Hathorn Park by the Blue Hill Brass Quintet. On Wednesday, the same location will feature Sam and Jim Whitman, local folk musicians, at 7 p.m.

At various times Saturday on the festival grounds in Manson Park, Mother Dragon Fly (folk), Flip Top Head (modern rock), Cold Shot (jazz), Traditional Heights (bluegrass) and High on Country (country), will perform.

All the traditional events will be held throughout the week, said Taylor, including window painting, parking lot art, a street dance, Egglympics and a children’s parade. The scholarship pageant also will be held Thursday, July 26.

Chris Kett, chairman of the quiche and cheesecake contest, is trying to determine if there is enough interest to hold that event this year. Kett said that it was canceled last year because there was only a single entrant. Those interested in competing should contact Kett at 487-5812 or at kettink@mint.net.

On Saturday, July 28, the festival will be host to a major craft show and sale, booths and rides at the ever-popular carnival. An all-star softball game will be held at 12:30 p.m. between local merchants and a team from WVII-TV, Channel 7. A horseshoe tournament will begin at 8 a.m., and fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m.

Taylor said brown paper eggs are being sold at area businesses to help defray the cost of the parade and fireworks. She also said the Egg Festival Committee continues to need volunteers. They meet monthly at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the VFW Hall on Peltoma Avenue.

To contact the committee, call Taylor at 487-5416, or e-mail eggfestival@hotmail.com. Information on the Egg Festival also is posted on the town of Pittsfield’s Web site, www.pittsfield.org.