Washburn gears up for Festival

6 years ago

WASHBURN, Maine — In preparation for the Washburn August Festival, Aug. 17-19, the festival committee has announced the 2018 king and queen, Michael and Barbara Maynard of Perham.

Michael Maynard grew up in Wade with six brothers and sisters.  He served four years in the U.S. Air Force, after which he graduated from what was then Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute with an associate degree. He is currently employed by Homeland Security.

Barbara Maynard was born in Dover, Delaware, into a military family that relocated to Loring Air Force Base in 1969.  She has recently retired from the Maine Veterans Home, with more than 28 years of service.

The couple married in 1982 and moved into their home in Perham.  Over the years they have renovated their home, “a labor of love,” they say.  They raised three children and have three grandchildren.

Michael and Barbara share a love of gardening and golf, in addition to other outdoor activities.  They love to travel and spend time with their grandchildren.

This year’s Washburn August Festival theme is “Tribute to our Veterans.”

Activities will get underway on Friday, Aug. 17, with soccer featuring Washburn District High School vs. Wisdom. There will be street activities, the alumni banquet and a movie night sponsored by the Washburn Rotary Club.

Saturday, Aug. 18, will begin with breakfast at the Washburn Trailrunners Club. The annual August Fest parade will start at 11 a.m., with events around the town park featuring music, a car show, barbecue cook-off and food vendors. Arts and crafts are on tap at the elementary school, and the Salmon Brook Historical Society museums will be open, where folks may choose to visit the “military room.” In addition, the Washburn Fire Department will host a barbecue.

At 2 p.m. at Story Park, the town will formally dedicate the Washburn Area Veterans Park. The evening will feature a baked bean supper sponsored by the Lidstone Methodist Church, music by Star City Syndicate, and a street dance with Wally and the Virginians.

Events on Sunday, Aug. 19, will include a road race, antique tractor pulls, a pet show, open museum hours with the Salmon Brook Historical Society and a gospel concert.

For more information, contact Hollie Umphrey, event chair, at hjumphrey@gmail.com.