Staff Writer
MAPLETON – Most people have inadvertently bumped into something at one time or another. It might have been a door, a person, a coffee table, or worse yet, the vehicle in front of you in traffic. Now, organizers of the 21st annual Mapleton Daze are giving people something unique to crash into … bowling pins.
New to this year’s summer celebration, which will be held June 25-28, will be human bowling.
“There’s a four-foot tall steel cage ball with a seat inside,” said Nola Farley, Mapleton Daze committee president, “so the person will climb inside the caged ball, sit down, and be strapped in. There are handles to hold onto and then they are pushed down a 12-foot wide by 25-foot long bowling lane into a bunch of heavy, Styrofoam pins.
“The last few years we’ve really tried to bring some new things in just to keep Mapleton Daze fresh and exciting,” she said. “We’re also trying to round it out a little bit more so that there’s something for every age group which I think has been missed a little in the past. We’ve had a strong emphasis on the younger children, and I think we’ve missed that teen-age group, so that’s where things like human bowling come into play.”
Human bowling will be available from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the Mapleton Elementary School yard. There is no cost to try human bowling.
Another new attraction will be a hot air balloon demonstration from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday by local pilot Dena Winslow.
“Dena will bring her balloon out onto the field, inflate it and possibly do some glows,” said Farley. “Depending on the weather, she may take the tethered balloon up a little bit.”
The hot air balloon is strictly for viewing purposes only; no rides will be given, and the demonstration is dependent on the weather.
Farley encourages not only Mapleton residents, but also those living in outlying communities to come out and participate in some of the down-home fun.
“It’s a great family event,” she said. “There’s something available for everyone, and most of what we offer is completely free of charge with the exception of the concessions. It’s a very inexpensive way to spend some quality time with families and have a lot of fun.”
If people enjoy the annual celebration, Farley hopes they will consider joining the Mapleton Daze committee to ensure that future summer festivals will occur.
“We are in desperate need of new energy,” she said. “Most of the existing committee is retiring, and if we don’t get another half-dozen people, the festival probably will not go again. I invite anyone who is interested in planning next year’s event to contact me.”
The schedule of events for this year’s Mapleton Daze is as follows:
Thursday, June 25
7 p.m. Woodie Waddell Memorial Cribbage Tournament at the Lions Hall. Fee is $2. Sign up at the door. Bring board and cards if possible. Singles welcome.
7 p.m. Beano at the Lions Hall. Donations accepted.
Friday, June 26
5-7:30 p.m. activities include:
• Chicken Barbecue. The Lions Club will be serving supper at the Elementary School parking lot. One-half barbecued chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, roll and beverage. Takeout will be available.
• Homemade Pies and Coffee. $2 per serving of pie and coffee only 50 cents. Sponsored by the Mapleton United Methodist Women. This event has become a very tasty, annual tradition.
• Homemade Ice Cream will be on sale during the evening. Sponsored by the United Baptist Youth Group. $1 per scoop.
• New 2009 T-Shirts/Sweatshirts/Hats will be on sale during the evening. Support Mapleton Daze activities by purchasing this year’s collectors items. Mapleton Elementary School fifth-grader Mandy Graham created this year’s winning design.
6-8:30 p.m. Jumping Castles. Additional Inflatable Attractions. Temporary Air Brush Tattoos by Tattitude, the Farrar Family. Hot air balloon demonstration by local pilot Dena Winslow. Weather permitting.
6:30 p.m. Survivor Contest for ages 13 and up. Sponsored by the The Pizza House. Pre-registration at The Pizza House is required. Number of teams is limited. Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 24. Hosted by the Mapleton Boy Scouts.
7 p.m. Scavenger Hunt for all kids at the shirt table.
Fireworks 3-D Glasses will be on sale for $1. Proceeds will benefit the Mapleton Baptist Church.
Dusk Fireworks display. (Rain date is Saturday night – same time, same place).
Movie Night featuring “Hotel for Dogs” following the fireworks behind the school. Bring chairs or blankets. The Mapleton Baptist Church will also be selling popcorn.
Saturday, June 27
6-10 a.m. The Gloria M. McPherson Memorial Breakfast will be served by the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club in the Lions Hall. Open to all. The menu will be eggs, ham, hash, baked beans, biscuits, coffee and juice.
7:30 a.m. Mapleton Daze Fun Run. Registration starts at the school. The race will begin at 8 a.m., and is for all ages. Sponsored by North Country Auto.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Lions Hall will be open with past Mapleton Daze Albums for reminiscing.
9:30 a.m. Parade down Main Street, sponsored by Savings Bank of Maine. Participants should line up on the Dudley Road by 9 a.m.
9:30 a.m. A Bike Parade will start at the Pool Road and lead the Mapleton Daze Parade through town. Participants should be at the end of the Pool Road by 9 a.m. to organize. Trophies will be awarded for the best decorated bike/trike/stroller or wagon in four age categories. Strollers or wagons age 2 and under. Bikes ages 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Haystack Historical Society Building will be open. Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Sale. There will also be a special photo display.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Book Signing by Mapleton’s very own Dena Winslow, Ph.D., author of “They Lynched Jim Cullen – New England’s Only Lynching.”
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Maple Meadow Farm Festival. A celebration of country camaraderie. 830 Mapleton Road, Route 163 west, three miles from Presque Isle. Featuring antiques, fine crafts, good food, live music and wagon rides, demonstrations of horse-powered farming and antique tractors. Free admission. Contact Miriam Gregg at 764-6450 for more information.
All activities to be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the schoolyard
Pig Roast available for all. Sponsored by the Mapleton Fire Department.
Petting Farm sponsored by the Nickerson Family.
Pony Rides. $2.
Children’s Games, operated by the Ashland Girl Scouts.
Jumping Castles.
Bungee Bull Riding.
Human Bowling (New this year).
Food Booths selling hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, pizza, doughboys, sausages, cotton candy, shaved ice, chips, drinks and much more.
Temporary Air Brush Tattoos by Tattitude, the Farrar Family.
11:15 a.m. Giant Haystack with hidden prizes, sponsored by the Presque Isle Rotary Club. Four age groups (4 and under, 5-7, 8-10 and 11-12).
Noon Watermelon Eating Contest. Sponsored by Friends Market. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups (7 and under, 8-12 and 13 and up).
Noon-2 p.m. Horse-drawn Wagon Rides will be given for the whole family. Provided by the Putnam Family.
Noon-2 p.m. Aroostook County Fire Muster, hosted by the Mapleton Fire Department.
12:30 p.m. Hula Hoop Contest in center of the schoolyard. Prizes will be awarded. Sponsored by Presque Isle Kiwanis Club.
12:30 p.m. Maine State Police Canine Demonstration.
1 p.m. The Raffle for the Girls’ and Boys’ Bikes and Wagons will be drawn at the sound booth on the school grounds.
1 p.m. Horseshoe Tournament. Call Danny Bretton at 764-0855 in advance for registration. There will be a $5 entry fee and it will be a “winner-take-all” tournament.
2-8 p.m. Music Festival on Main Street featuring various artists.
5-6:30 p.m. Baked Bean and Ham Supper, sponsored by the Presque Isle Class of 2012, will be served at the Lions Hall. Tickets are $3 for children 12 and under and $6 for adults. The meal also includes potato salad, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
6:30 p.m. Alumni Banquet at the Elementary School. Advanced reservations only.
7 p.m. Free Movie at the Mapleton Methodist Church.
Sunday, June 28
7 a.m. Sunrise Service will be held at the Gazebo with Nathan Gardiner and friends. Rain location will be the Lion’s Hall.
7-10 a.m. Breakfast at Mapleton Lunch. The wait staff will be members of the Presque Isle Future Farmers of America.
9 a.m. Jerry Dow and Merlyn Buck Memorial Walk. Pledges will go to the alumni scholarship fund. Meet in front of the Lions Hall. Call Katie Buck at 762-7891 for information.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. ATV Poker Run. Sponsored by the Mapleton ATV Club. Registration is by the underpass. Call Clayton Craig at 764-0092 for more information. It will be a 35-mile ride. Several nice prizes will be awarded.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Maple Meadow Farm Festival continues.
