61st annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival to start

16 years ago
 By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer

    FORT FAIRFIELD – The 61st annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival kicks off Saturday, and organizers say there’s plenty for people to do during the week-long event.

ImageAroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
    The reviewing stand for the July 4th parade in Stockholm was composed of three retired officers from the U.S. Navy and Air Force. From left are Cmdr. (Rev.) James Morgan, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Stockholm, Col. Edward Buck of Stockholm and Cmdr. Gordon Anderson of Maryland and a former Stockholm resident.

 

    “This year’s festival coincides with the town’s sesquicentennial,” said Janet Kelle, executive director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. “We built on the existing plans, but there are a lot of newer events related to the town’s 150th including the Civil War Encampment, a beard growing contest and a vintage fashion show.
    “We’ll also have the old, one-room schoolhouse that was recently renovated and that will be open for the public to see,” she said. “Planning for the town’s sesquicentennial and the potato blossom festival began right after last year’s festival, so there’s a lot going on.”
    Among the more notable events include Debbie Myers in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12 at the Fort Fairfield Community Center, the Maine Potato Blossom Pageants, Marko the Magician (6 p.m. Thursday, July 17), a performance by the Don Campbell Band (7 p.m. Thursday, July 17 at the VFW), the Maine Potato Board’s annual Industry Dinner (5:30 p.m. Friday, July 18), street dance featuring Motor Booty Affair (7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18), a parade (1 p.m. Saturday, July 19), and Maine humorist Gary Crocker at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19 at the Community Center.
    “There’s literally something for everyone … young and old alike,” said Kelle. “Even finicky teen-agers should have stuff that interests them. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
    “The Maine Potato Blossom Festival has always been one of the larger events in Aroostook County,” she said, “and we’re continuing that tradition.”
    The festival wraps up Sunday, July 20.
    For a complete schedule of events, log onto www.potatoblossom.org. For more information about this year’s festivities, contact Kelle at 472-3802 or by e-mail at jkelle@fortfairfield.com.