FARMINGTON — The 31st annual Children’s Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, in Olsen Student Center on the University of Maine at Farmington campus.

It’s sponsored by the Franklin County Children’s Task Force and offers area children and their families a break from winter.

A variety of free activities and entertainment is planned. A low-cost food court serving pizza, ice cream, popcorn and beverages will also be available, Renee Blanchet, task force director, said.

Farmington Public Library and Wilton Free Public Library are working together on an activity, she said. The Reading Rescue Truck, a portable library, will be there, she said.

The songs and music of Mark Phillips, the banjo playing of Bill Reid and the slights of hand by Mr. Magic will be featured in North Dining Hall. Rick Merrill will create balloon animals.

Representatives from the fire and police departments will be there, along with McGruff the Crime Dog, she said. Rescue emergency medical technicians and the child identification program, or C.H.I.P., will also be there.

The popular cookie decorating is back, she said. Other activities in the hands-on room include face painting, sand tables and necklace making.

Parents can find a quiet corner to read a book to their child or for those with a little extra energy, the Gross Motor room will have mats for tumbling, a place for jumping and ways to stretch arm and leg muscles, Blanchet said.

Decal Gymnastics will be there with a spring board, vaults and other gymnastic equipment.

A Wii will be set up again to offer children fun and activities.

A sweet demonstration, maple taffy, is offered by members of Maine Maple Association.

Organizations presenting activities include Literacy Volunteers, Care and Comfort, and Camp at the Eastward, she said.

Children will make their own Olympic paper medal with items from Everyone’s Resource Depot.

The Task Force will also ask parents to fill out a Community Needs Assessment to help identify programs for the next 10 years, Blanchet said.

For more information about Saturday’s festival, contact the Children’s Task Force at 778-6960.

abryant@sunjournal.com