T-Minus 3 Days to the Downtown Farmington Founders Festival

If you have a few free hours this weekend, the Downtown Farmington Founders Festival needs you.

The annual community celebration gets under way with preglow events Thursday night and continues through Sunday in downtown Farmington.

Volunteer coordinator Melissa Andrade of Farmington said spots remain open at the information booths from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. In addition, parking monitors are needed in two-hour shifts on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to the great feeling you get when you help with a big community event, Andrade said, volunteers receive a free ticket to the Walker's Tavern tent, where beer, soft drinks and ox roast sandwiches will be served.

"For the information booth, we do allow younger kids to volunteer with their parents," she said. "It's also an opportunity for students to earn community service hours."

Andrade started volunteering with the (DDA) Harvest Moon celebration in October, and two years ago she took on responsibility for recruiting volunteers.

"Honestly, it's just a lot of fun," she said.

The Festival is organized by the Farmington Downtown Development Authority. To volunteer, call 248-421-7770 or write to volunteer@downtownfarmington.org.

Read more about this year's , or visit foundersfestival.com for more information.