BELGRADE -- Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance members are planning their Aquafest celebration Saturday.

A variety of events is planned throughout the day:

• An out-and-back 5K Race for the Lakes will begin at 8 a.m. at Camp Runoia on Point Road in Belgrade Lakes. The cost is $18 per runner. Registration will be from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. before the race. Register online by Friday and receive a free t-shirt.

• An Art Mart building with local artisans will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Village Inn Lawn and in front of Artists and Artisans, Belgrade Lakes Village.

• A farmer's market will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Village Inn parking lot in Belgrade Lakes Village.

• A "Kids Corner Challenge" will take place 9-11 a.m. at the Center for All Seasons, Belgrade. There is no cost. There will be a mini lake days learning course with t-shirt painting and games. Children will receive a passport to visit five lake stations, including Stream Critters. Once a child's passport has been stamped by all five stations, they've earned a free ice cream.

• Melinda Ann's floating classroom with free rides from the center's waterfront will be from 9 to 11 a.m.

• A "Fun Run Walk Crawl or Creep" at 11 a.m. from the center to the village flower triangle and back. The cost is $5 per person, $10 per family, or free with pledged sponsors. Dogs participate for free.

• A barbecue lunch with live music will begin at noon at the center. The cost is $5 per person and free for children younger than 3. The lunch will be first come, first serve.

• A family swim will begin at about noon at the center.

• There will be a kayak clinic 1-3 p.m. and Eastern Mountain sports staff will present a global positioning system clinic at 2 p.m., both at the center.

• Kayak races will begin at 2 p.m. from the center waterfront. The cost is $15. Pre-registration required at the center between 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Contestants must be at the waterfront by 1:30 a.m. There will be a two-mile loop youth course and a three-mile loop racing course.

• An open house chocolate tasting with Kennebec Chocolates will take place 1-4 p.m. at Bacchus House of Wine, 75 Main St., Belgrade Lakes. Sparkling cider, soft drinks and water will be served. There is no cost.

• A coffee house and open mike night will be at 7 p.m. at Union Church of Belgrade Lakes.
Proceeds from this event will support milfoil prevention and create a Watershed-wide Action Plan (WAP) to improve water quality and public enjoyment of the seven Belgrade lakes.

Aquafest is sponsored by the five lake associations for East Pond, Great and Long Ponds, McGrath Pond and Salmon Lake, Snow Pond/Messalonskee Lake, and North Pond working together as the Lake Trust of the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA).

For more information, call Mary Kerwood at (207) 495-6039, e-mail brca@gwi.net or visit www.belgradelakes.org.