Cup O’ Joe: Festivals are summer tradition

Town celebrations are an opportunity to commemorate special moments from the past, enjoy the present and look to the future as generations typically come together in one meeting place. The Houlton Agricultural Fair and Fourth of July festivities were a perfect example of this July 1-4 as the town celebrated four days of excitement.
    Kudos to the town for holding a fireworks display downtown July 1 as part of the Midnight Madness event. Market Square was bustling with activity as people enjoyed food booths, music and classic cars, all the while anxiously awaiting the pyrotechnics display over the Meduxnekeag River and Gateway Crossing Bridge. Viewed from the North Street Bridge, the fireworks display over the water was a sight to behold. Not to be outdone though, the Fair put on an even more impressive aerial show on Monday, July 4 at Community Park.
While the Houlton Fair has come and gone, there are still many other local festivals and celebrations for folks to get out and enjoy.
The Hodgdon Methodist Church will hold a “Strawberry Festival” this Friday, July 15 from 4:30-6 p.m.
Stacyville’s Strawberry Festival will be held Friday-Sunday, July 22-24 and features a theme of “patriotism” for its parade.
The following weekend, July 23-24, Danforth and Island Falls take center stage as both communities will hold a “Summerfest” series of events. Danforth’s 2011 Summerfest will feature a Hawaiian luau theme, including pineapple bowling, luau dance contest and hula-hoop competition during the annual street dance.
Island Falls’ Summerfest features a variety of events planned over a 10-day period July 29-Aug. 7. Patten Pioneer Days, set for Aug. 8-13, is another week-long event to delight the local community. Last year’s parade, set to a Hawaiian luau theme featured a number of entertaining and highly-decorated floats. Hawaiian themes are popular to say the least as they allow for easily decorated floats and costumes.
Celebrations return to Houlton Aug. 19-21 for the 52nd annual Potato Feast Days. For more information on this event, contact the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce at 532-4216.
Sherman Olde Home Days chime in during Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5 and will feature a celebration of the Washburn Memorial Church’s 150th birthday.
So get out and support your local town’s events. They are a great opportunity to see some familiar faces, make some new friends, and enjoy the history of your region.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at 532-2281.