Stacyville plans festive Strawberry celebration

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    STACYVILLE — If Strawberries are your favorite fruit, then make plans to be in Stacyville July 23-25.
    The 10th annual Stacyville Strawberry Festival, sponsored by Sherman Area Memorial VFW Post 2299, its Ladies Auxiliary and Maine’s only Junior Girls Unit, will be held on Friday, July 23 through Sunday, July 25 at the VFW Post in Stacyville.
    All three days of the Strawberry Festival the Mobile Vet Clinic from Caribou VA will be on site.  Also the hot dog bus will be open daily (11 am – 3 pm), along with a flea market, artists, crafters and vendors (9 am – 3 pm).  Call for your table space.  Please note that while the space is free, people must provide their own tables. Each night there will be raffle drawings at 6 pm.
    The schedule and contests for the three-day event is as follows:
Friday, July 23
    At 3 p.m., there will be the judging for the kids and adults cake contests. Children must be under age 16, with adults 16 and over.  Contest rules are: Cakes must be registered at VFW in Stacyville no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, July 23; Any flavor, judged on taste and appearance by discriminating critics; must be equivalent in volume to at least one full cake mix; and cakes become property of the VFW following judging.
    Prizes for the Children’s Contest will be: first place $10; second, ribbon and free ice cream on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.; and third, ribbon and free ice cream from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Adult Contest first place will win $25; second place will be a certificate for a free Chicken BBQ Meal on Sunday at 5 p.m.
    A Pig Roast will be served from 5 p.m. until gone, provided by Tom and Judy Mullen.  People will also enjoy baked potatoes and corn on the cob.  Donations only.
    From 6-8 p.m. a Children’s Dance will be held on the tennis court adjoining the VFW Post for this fall’s grades 3-5. The theme is “Welcome to the Jungle!”  The cost of admission is $5 each for admission, snacks, drinks, party favors and game prizes. The first 24 to arrive will be given a jungle reward. Come win prizes at the games and contests. Rain date will be July 30.
    If you’re too old for the kids dance, you won’t be left out!  A cribbage tournament inside the building will be held at 6 p.m. for adults only and a $5 entry fee.
Saturday, July 24
    The parade begins at 11 a.m. This year’s theme is “Fun In The Sun.” Line-up begins at the old Stacyville Elementary School lot at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to participate with a float, walkers and bikes.
    Following the parade there will be a Classic Car Show across the road from the VFW at the Town Office lot for two hours. Call 463-4634 or www.northernmainechamber.com for more info.
    Immediately after the parade, the auction will begin with the reknowned Jim Pratt as auctioneer. To donate auction items call 365-4259 or 365-4832.
    A Blackhawk helicopter landing by the Maine Air National Guard will take place behind the VFW in the ball diamond. Kids Games will run from noon to 3 p.m., which will include a timed pie-eating contest for ages 5-16.
    At 5 p.m. events will move to the Sherman Recreation Dept. in Sherman for a ham and bean supper with strawberry shortcake for dessert.  Donations only. At 6 p.m. a variety show will begin, also at the Sherman Recreation Department. Donations will be accepted.  To enter in the show, call 365-4263 or 538-6851. Remember, it’s all in fun!
Sunday, July 25
    A breakfast will start off the morning from 8-10 a.m.  Pancakes and sausage will be served for a $4.  If you want to work off some of those breakfast calories, sign up for the Horseshoe Tournament that will be held in back of the VFW Post. The tourney will begin at 9 a.m., with a $10 entry fee.  Teams will be pick-of-the-draw with money prizes up for grabs.
    Cool off at the Ice Cream Social from noon-2 p.m. Also from noon until 2 p.m. there will be a petting zoo for all the animal lovers, young and old alike.  Call Amy at 365-6329 to enter your animal (no cats or dogs).
    At 2:30 p.m., an Adult Pie Eating Timed Contest for ages 17 and up will be held. Register on Friday in person or call and leave a message at 365-4832 or 365-4263 so there are plenty of pies on hand!
    Judging for the Kids Art Show will be held at 3 p.m. Kids can come in anytime from Friday through 2 p.m. Sunday to color a picture. Also look for our posted schedules, which include pictures that can be colored and mailed to us.  Kids under age 13 will be divided into four age groups. Each age group will receive 1st place $5.00; 2nd place ribbon and 3rd place ribbon.
    At 3:30 p.m. there will be the judging of our Photo Contest for kids and adults. Photographers can bring in their photos anytime on Friday, to be judged by People’s Choice throughout the weekend by secret ballot.  Three categories for pictures are Patriotic, Summer Fun or Kids, and Animals or Landscapes.  Prizes to be announced.
    Rules are as follows: Photos must be enlarged to size 5×7” or 8×10” in black and white or color; Must register anytime on Friday; Photos must be free-standing in frame or your photo-display stand.; and Name, address and age must appear on back of photos for age groups Children (Under 16) and Adults (16 and older).
    Entertainment by various groups will liven the place up from noon until 5 p.m. If anyone wants to share their talents call 365-4263.
    At 5 p.m. the Famous Chicken BBQ with strawberry desserts takes place. Donations only. A Flag Retirement Ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. Drop off your tattered and worn flags to us for proper disposal.
    For more information on any of the scheduled events call 365-4832 or 365-4263.