OLD TOWN – Riverfest 2002, a weekend celebration of the city’s attractive waterfront area, kicked off Friday night with a dance and fireworks.

Planned by a 13-member committee, the festival this year is scheduled to be the biggest ever, with a parade scheduled for Saturday morning, food, games, music and other activities during the middle part of the day and dance bands later in the afternoon.

A key attraction of this year’s Riverfest is its setting. The celebration will be the first public use of the city’s new riverfront park and its new bandstand.

The celebration today falls on the date of the Old Town High School homecoming. To mark both events, each high school class has built a float to appear in the morning parade. The high school band and the University of Maine band are expected to march as well. Herbert Sargent will be the grand marshal.

The Knights of Columbus will run an informal game of bingo. As in past years, children’s activities will be available.

Saturday’s schedule is as follows. All events will take place in the municipal park unless otherwise noted.

. 7 a.m. – Pancake breakfast sponsored by the Old Town High School Boosters Club.

. 8:30 a.m. – Opening ceremonies.

. 10 a.m. – Parade from Old Town High School down Main Street back to Old Town High School.

. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Old Town Housing Authority open house at Marsh Island Apartments, South Main Street, tours, food and music.

. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Festival grounds open.

. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – Old Town police will install car seats free of charge.

. 1-3 p.m. – Old Town police will check existing car seats free of charge.

Musical groups and other entertainers scheduled to perform are:

. 11 a.m.-noon and 1-2 p.m. – deejay Dale Saucier.

. Noon-1 p.m. – Children’s music with Julie & the Bug Boys at the bandstand.

. 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Sweet Adelines at the tent, stage 2.

. 2-3 p.m. – Skyliners Dance Band in the tent, stage 2.

. 2-4 p.m. Sunset Strip Band at the bandstand.