Festival marks 60th anniversary

    FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine – The Maine Potato Blossom Festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and organizers of the longtime tradition hope county residents will turn out in droves to join in the fun.
   This year, local musical talent, games and activities for children of all ages, fireworks, food, and one of the largest parades in all of New England will highlight the annual festival.
According to Shawn Murchison, executive director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, the festival is being billed from July 17-22, but will actually kick off a little earlier.
“On Saturday, July 14, we’re having our County Gospel Music Festival to kick things off,” he said. “While the gospel festival is its own event, it’s still so small that we decided to add it to our schedule and help publicize it more.
“We also have the Little Miss Potato Blossom Pageant and a few other events and activities that will lead us into the big festival,” Murchison said.
Highlighting the celebration will be the festival parade, scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, July 21. The lineup starts at the high school just off of Presque Isle Street and continues through Main Street ending at Forest Avenue.
Murchison said the parade averages about two-and-a-half hours in length and features roughly 160 entries.
“We still have our farm equipment that’s displayed,” he said, “but the parade has become more diversified. We’ve got musical floats, antique cars, and many different businesses decide to pick a theme and advertise their business.”
Murchison said parade-goers should be advised that Main Street closes off at 12:30 p.m., and in order to get a good parking spot, people should arrive early.
In the event of inclement weather, people should call the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce at 472-3802 to check on the status of activities and events. Announcements will likely be made on local radio stations, as well.
The schedule of events for this year’s Maine Potato Blossom Festival is as follows:
Saturday, July 14
9 a.m.    Chess Tournament at the Fort Fairfield Community Center. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. Contact Ray Haines at 476-5960.
10 a.m.-6 p.m.    Fourth Annual County Gospel Music Festival at the FARM Park (119 West Limestone Road).
Sunday, July 15
9 a.m.    Youth 1-Mile Bike Race. Registration is at 8 a.m. at the Community Center. Contact Mojo’s at 760-9500 for more information.
10 a.m.    25-Mile Bicycle Race. Registration is at 8 a.m. The race will start at the Blockhouse on Main Street. For more information, contact Mojo’s at 760-9500.
2 p.m.    Fort Fairfield Alumni Association Banquet at the Fort Fairfield High School Cafeteria.
Monday, July 16
5:30 p.m.    Youth Baseball at the Charlie Lockhart Field at Fort Fairfield High School.
7 p.m.    Little Miss Potato Blossom Pageant at the FFMH School gymnasium.
Tuesday, July 17
8:30 a.m.    Junior/Senior Girls Softball Tournament at the Fort Fairfield Athletic Complex. To register or for more information, contact the Fort Fairfield Recreation Department.
5:30 p.m.    Youth Baseball at the Charlie Lockhart Field at Fort Fairfield High School.
6 p.m.    Adult 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at the Fort Fairfield Community Center. Contact the Fort Fairfield Recreation Department to register.
7 p.m.    Household Pet Show at Fields Lane. There is a $2 entry fee. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society.
Wednesday, July 18
9 a.m.    Swim Meet at the Presque Isle Indoor Swimming Pool. To register, contact the Fort Fairfield Recreation Department.
1 p.m.    Coloring Contest. Pick up at Hillside IGA and drop off at County Federal Credit Union in Fort Fairfield. Due Friday, July 20 at 12:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.    Youth Baseball at the Charlie Lockhart Field at Fort Fairfield High School.
7 p.m.    Junior Miss Potato Blossom Pageant at the Fort Fairfield Middle/High School Gymnasium.
7 p.m.    United Pentecostal Gospel Singers performing at the Community Bandstand.
Thursday, July 19
9 a.m.-8 p.m.    Antique Farm Equipment Display at the Growers Exchange parking lot.
5-8 p.m.    Potato Picking Contest at the Hillside IGA parking lot.
5:30 p.m.    Youth Baseball at the Charlie Lockhart Field at Fort Fairfield High School.
6 p.m.    Horse Rides on the North Caribou Road.
7-9 p.m.    Paul Smithkey at the Community Bandstand.
Friday, July 20
9 a.m.-8 p.m.    Antique Farm Equipment Display at the Growers Exchange parking lot.
10 a.m.    Bicycle Rodeo across from Bradley’s Car Wash. (Registration at 9:30 a.m.).
10 a.m.    Quilt Show in Village Square.
5:30 p.m.    Annual Industry Dinner at the Community Center. Advanced reservations only. Contact the Maine Potato Board at 769-5061 for more information.
6 p.m.    Horse Rides on the North Caribou Road.
6-8 p.m.    Caribou Hoofers at the Community Bandstand.
6:30 p.m.    Fred Parsons performing at the Food Court.
8-11:30 p.m.    Street Dance with the Nadeau Family Band on Main Street.
Saturday, July 21
6-10 a.m.    Pancake Breakfast at the Historical Railroad Park on Depot Street.
6:30 a.m.    Aroostook Valley Country Club Golf Tournament. Format: 2 Day 36 Hole Medal Play. To register, contact the AVCC at (800) 980-8747.
8 a.m.-8 p.m.    Antique Farm Equipment Display at the Growers Exchange parking lot.
8:30 a.m.    Potato Blossom 5-Mile Road Race. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. across from Hillside IGA. Cost is $10 per person. The first 50 people who register will receive a T-shirt.
9 a.m.-Dusk    Sidewalk Arts and Crafts Fair on Main Street.
9 a.m.-Noon    Motor Car Rides at the Historical Railroad Park on Depot Street.
9 a.m.-4 p.m.    Chicken Barbecue beside Goodhue’s Jewelry.
10 a.m.    Horse Rides on the North Caribou Road.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.    Motorcycle/ATV Show in the parking lot next to Acadia Medical Supply.
10 a.m.    Quilt Show in Village Square.
10:30 a.m.    Maine Potato Recipe Contest at the Fort Fairfield Elementary School cafeteria.
11:30 a.m.    Human Chess Game at the Food Court.
1 p.m.    Maine Potato Blossom Festival Parade. Line-up begins at 11 a.m. at Fort Fairfield High School.
2-4 p.m.    Motor Car Rides at the Historical Railroad Park on Depot Street.
3 p.m.    Annual Antique Tractor Pull at Riverside Avenue. For more information, call Keith Boulier at 768-6911.
5 p.m.    Regatta on the Aroostook (Canoes and kayaks). Registration is at 3 p.m. Call Tom Towle at 472-3882 for information. Location: Forbes Gravel Pit on Route 161, 6 miles north of Fort Fairfield. Cost is $10 per person. The first 50 people to register will receive a T-shirt.
5-6:30 p.m.    Randolph Michaud at the Community Bandstand.
5 p.m.    Bean-Hole-Bean Supper at the Odd Fellows Hall.
7-9 p.m.    Roger Lilly performing at the Community Bandstand.
7-11 p.m.    Traveling Band Reunion at the Food Court.
7:30 p.m.    Maine Potato Blossom Queen Pageant at the FFMHS gymnasium.
Sunday, July 22
8 a.m.    Co-ed Sand Volleyball Tournament at the Fort Fairfield Athletic Complex. To register, call 551-9332 or 476-8651.
9 a.m.-Dusk    Sidewalk Arts and Crafts Fair on Main Street.
9 a.m.-1 p.m.    Car Show at 110 Presque Isle St. Trophies provided for several classes.
10 a.m.    Horse Rides on the North Caribou Road.
10 a.m.    Sunday Morning Service at the Community Bandstand. Pastor Rick Vincent.
12:30 p.m.    Fort Fairfield High School Jazz Band at the Community Bandstand.
1 p.m.    Duck Race on the Aroostook River. Cost is $5 per duck. Contact Gary Giggey at 473-7269 for more information.
2-4 p.m.    Paul Smithkey at the Community Bandstand.
2-5 p.m.    Family Day Celebration at the Fort Fairfield High School Athletic Field. Games and prizes for kids.
4-6 p.m.    The Good Old Boys at the Community Bandstand.
6-8 p.m.    Wesleyan Church Annual Pie Social at the Community Wesleyan Church. Performance by Aroostook Idol Annie Charles.
7:30-8:30 p.m.    Limestone Community Band performing at the Community Bandstand.
9 p.m.    Fireworks over the Aroostook River.