RICHMOND — Richmond is rolling out the red carpet — as well as a 40-foot outdoor movie screen — for this year’s Richmond Days festivities.

This year’s theme, “Going Hollywood,” will be reflected in several events, joining the usual slate of festivities including live bands, children’s’ activities and competitions, capped off by fireworks over the Kennebec River on Saturday night.

Star-struck events kick off at 6:30 p.m. Friday with the children’s parade starting at the Richmond Utilities District on the waterfront off Front Street.

The children’s parade will be followed by outdoor movie night: A 40-foot screen will be setup in waterfront park on the Kennebec River to show the movie “Yogi Bear,” starting around dusk.

Saturday morning, a parade of floats, fire trucks and marchers goes through downtown, starting at 10 a.m. Parade floats and participants who decorate with the Hollywood theme in mind will be able to compete to win “Oscar” awards.

The parade will be preceded by a five-kilometer race and one-mile community fun walk/run starting at Richmond Area Health Center. Registration is at 7:30 a.m., with the race through Richmond starting at 8 a.m.

Theme-related activities Saturday include photographs on the red carpet, with celebrity cut-outs and props.

Though there is a charge for a few events, such as pirate ship rides and to enter the running race, most Richmond Days events are free.

“It’s great family fun and doesn’t cost anything, which should be great for families, especially during these times,” said Laurisa Loon, executive assistant at the Town Office and organizer of Richmond Days.

T-shirts and coffee mugs will be for sale to help offset the cost of the event.

New Richmond Days events this year include a Wiffle ball tournament and home run derby at Lane Field; and activities at Richmond Karting Speedway off Route 197 near Interstate 295, featuring free spectator admission for kart racing, bounce houses and the “Crushstation” monster truck.

Loon said the karting track and town agreed to work together to promote both the special events at the track and Richmond Days in town.

“Hopefully, people attending the speedway who may not normally attend Richmond Days will come down to the waterfront, and people at Richmond Days will wander up to the speedway,” Loon said. “That’s part of what Richmond Days is about — promoting local businesses.”

Pirates of the Dark Rose will be on hand for much of Saturday, “attacking” Richmond at 11:30 a.m., and later offering pirate ship rides, performances and weapons demonstrations including cannon lessons.

Musical acts include an “Elvis” performance at 1:30 p.m., rock band Madcastle at 4 p.m. and country/rock band Bad Penny at 7 p.m.

Fireworks, ignited from a barge on the river, are expected around 9:15 p.m.

Keith Edwards — 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com