Councilors say ‘thanks’ to fair, Fourth of July volunteers

By Jennifer Ruth  
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — This year’s Fourth of July was “volunteerism at its finest.”
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
FIRE MAN — Houlton’s Fire Department was larger than life during the Fourth of July parade.
    Town officials took a moment Monday night to recognize the individuals who volunteered their time for the Houlton Fair and the Fourth of July parade. Town Manager Doug Hazlett said this year’s parade included a never-before-seen entry, which was an impressive addition.
    “If you went to the Fourth of July parade this year, you would have noticed that the last entry to the parade was something new and different and wonderful,” he said. “The town’s churches and Pine Tree Waste were at the end of the parade and cleaned up what was left behind and they did such a great job that we didn’t have to get the sweeper out the next day.”
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE — Joe Fagnant, music director for Houlton High School band, raises a hand for applause during the group’s recent performance in Memorial Park.
    Clean up of the parade, mainly watermelon leftovers have always been an issue. In response to that, the town had increased public garbage cans throughout downtown, but the mess seemed to stay behind. Hazlett said area churches followed behind Pine Tree Waste’s brand new truck and shoveled up animal droppings and collected garbage from the crowd. Those involved were: Military St. Baptist, St. Mary’s, First Baptist, Cary Baptist, Houlton Full Gospel Assembly and Houlton Wesleyan.
    “That was volunteerism at its finest,” he said.
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
SINGING — Local musician Tim Humphrey puts on a show for an audience at Community Park during the Houlton fair. Humphrey, also known as Tim “The Tune Man” Humphrey, is a leading force in rock music in southern Aroostook County. The Houlton native is the owner and operator of Northern Musical Supplies on the Calais Road.
    Councilors applauded all the people who took time to help out during the busy week of events and acknowledged that their efforts are much more difficult than they seem.
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
PIE IN THE EYE — Bruce Tilton goes for it during the Houlton Agricultural Fair’s pie eating contest July 5.
    “I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who worked during the Fourth of July,” remarked Councilor Sue Tortello. “It was spectacular. The thing about it is all the volunteers make it look so effortless and it isn’t, it’s a tremendous amount of work and we’re just very fortunate to have people to step up to the plate. They really need a round of applause.”
    This year’s fair attracted more than 13,000 people through its gates.
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
FRIEND OR FOE? — They look like they’re going for a walk, but it’s Kachunga taking his alligator for a plunge. The show was just one of several events held at this year’s fair. Spectators crowded the bleachers for the chance to see some action and later were photographed with a baby reptile.