Somerville’s summer of fun begins on Saturday

SOMERVILLE – A summer of fun in downtown Somerville will begin on Saturday with New Jersey’s only street performer festival.

But Festiville, entering its third year, is more than some of the country’s most talented street performers showing off their talents. There will also be a fitness competition and loads of activities for children and adults throughout downtown.

“It has grown every year,” said Beth Ann McDonald, executive director of the Downtown Somerville Alliance. “It’s the signature start of the summer.”

The free performances will begin at noon at the Division Street pedestrian mall. New this year will be a Street Roamer who will be performing his art up and down Main Street. The list of performers includes The Acrobuffos, one of the groups that performed in the first Festiville, Magic Brian, Cate Great, Evan Young and Krazy Kevin.

The Bill Mosca Beast Challenge, a test of strength and conditioning, will begin at 11 a.m. In the competition, presented by Strength and Honor Fitness, participants will compete in three different events. In the first event, competitors will have 90 seconds to accumulate the maximum number of calories on a rowing machine. The competitors will then move to the next event to determine how many overhead presses they can complete in 90 seconds. In the final event, competitors will have 90 seconds to complete as many barbell deadlifts in 90 seconds.

The competition will be for men and women in two weight divisions. The $25 entry fee will be donated to charity. Registration and weigh-in begins at 10:15 a.m.

But if you’re not a street performer or an athlete, there is still plenty to do.

A $5 wristband will allow children to participate in a number of unlimited free activities in the pedestrian mall from noon to 5 p.m. That includes pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and bounces on inflatable play equipment.

“It’s an affordable way for parents to spend the day with their kids,” McDonald said.

Adults can also buy $5 wristbands that allow them to visit Main Street businesses with special offers. For example, McDonald said, adults can visit Mannion’s, show their wristband and get a free beer glass.

“It’s a fun way to spread the fun throughout downtown,” McDonald said, adding that it’s a way for people to become better acquainted with downtown businesses.

The Festiville kicks off a full slate of events in downtown Somerville for the summer. The annual Tour of Somerville, held since 1940, will again be run downtown on Memorial Day. Classic Cruise Nights, one of the largest weekly classic car events in the country, will begin on Friday nights on the Memorial Day weekend. The Downtown Farmers Market will return to Division Street on June 4. The Somerville Elks will present a Flag Day festival at the historic county courthouse on June 13.

Plus, there will be a full schedule of movies and live performances on Division Street throughout the summer, McDonald said.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com