Patten Pioneer Days celebrated

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    PATTEN — The annual Patten Pioneer Days, held Aug. 8-14, was another smashing success for the Patten Recreation Department.
    “I would like to thank my family for all their help and all the other volunteers who worked extremely hard throughout the week,” said event organizer Karen McGraw of the Patten Recreation Department. “Everyone pulling together is why Patten Pioneer Day’s was a success.”
    Teddy Bear Picnic winners were: Chandler Smith, king; Savannah McGraw, queen; Paige Vose, book winner; and Emily Byer, guessing chocolates in container.
    “The kids were so cute sitting on their blankets eating lunch with their teddy bears,” McGraw said. “After lunch they had stroller races where they put their bears in a stroller and raced. The kids then gathered around in the gazebo to have a story read to them and then met Smokey The Bear and had their pictures taken with him.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
JUST A PADDLING —Sadie Hartt pretends to paddle a boat during the Patten Pioneer Day parade.
    Frog Jumping Contest winners were: Bryten Hartsgrove, Bailey Vose, Hannah Boone and Alexa Merry.
    “What can I say about this event other than exciting,” McGraw said. “To watch those kids trying to get their frog to jump out of the circle to win is about as exciting for the adults as it is the kids.”
    Field Day events were set up and included such popular activities as sack race, leg race, egg and spoon race, parachute, bucket game, hot potato, horseshoes, beanbag game, water balloons and tug of war.
    “The children seemed to enjoy these events,” McGraw said. “I think it is a wonderful way for the kids to get exercise along with learning to work together.”
    Watermelon Eating Contest winners were: Jayden Locke, Bradley Hotham and Joshua Russell.
    “We have some pretty serious watermelon eating contestants here in Patten,” McGraw said. “The children were pretty happy to have a tasty piece of watermelon after working hard at Field Day.”
    The Bird Show was another popular event.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
REDNECKS — Having a blast as they ride in the parade are members of the “Shin Pond Rednecks,” which won first-place in the theme category.
    “The children love coming to see and hold the birds,” McGraw said. “This event brings more and more each year (children and adults). The children had their pictures taken with the birds and then they decorated a foam frame to put their picture in.”
    Libby Anderson was crowned Little Miss Patten, while Lily Cullen was named Junior Miss Patten and Georgia Landry, Miss Patten Pioneer Days.
    “I really wouldn’t want to be a judge after watching all these girls,” McGraw said. “Eighteen girls entered the pageant this year and I give each and every one of them credit for getting up on stage and performing talents (older girls) or singing in a group (younger ones). They are all winners to me, but as we all know we can only have one winner and I feel the judges did a super job with their decisions.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
NICE TRACTOR — Brayden Savage shows some fine driving skills on his mini tractor.
    Sidewalk Chalk Contest winners were: Wesley Richardson, Alexis Fitzpatrick and Jocelyn McGraw-Lane.
    “This event went from 35 kids last year to 55 kids this year,” McGraw said. “We were a little worried about the weather for this one, but it turned out perfectly. Not only were the children creative in their drawings, but they were also very creative in decorating ice cream sundaes after.”
    The “Progressive Lunch” was once again one of the most popular events of the week.
    “This was a great way for the community and businesses to get together,” McGraw said. “Lunch consisted of receiving your tray and passport at Craig’s Clam Shop, then onto East Mill FCU for a can of soda, Dead River Co. for a bag of chips, Debbie’s Deli for some coleslaw, Katahdin Trust Co. for a sandwich, Ellis Family Market for a pickle, United Methodist Church for a bottle of water, Magic Wand Car Wash for dessert, Richardson’s Hardware for a pudding, Daisy Boutique for homemade baked beans and then final stop, in the Red Moose parking lot to sit down to eat. Each person had a passport and if you went to each business to get your food and your passport stamped you would receive a prize and enter a raffle.”
    Golden Tickets Bike Raffle winners were: Quinton Rich, Andrew Hogan, Mikenzie Landry, Paul McMoarn, Deanna Glidden, Griffin Anderson, Kierra Conklin, Julian Anderson, Jocelyn McGraw-Lane, Alexandria Splan, Kayla Parsons and Katelynn Lease.
    “The kids look forward to this each year,” McGraw said. “They receive Golden Tickets throughout the week. Each time they participate in any event or win events they get a ticket. On Saturday the bikes are lined up and the kids can put their tickets in whichever bike they like.”
    A number of businesses in the area donated funds to assist with the purchase of bicycles.
    The winner for the Adult Raffle was Janet Rich and the winner for the Children’s Raffle was Kyle McNally. The Children’s Parade was another big hit. Winners were: first place, native Americans, Jocelyn McGraw-Lane, Savannah McGraw, Bradley Swallow, Libby Anderson and Grace Anderson; second place, “Tweety Birds,” Amelya Matwyko, Kenna Stevens and Jayden Stevens; third place, Dr. Seuss, Polly Cullen, Piper Cullen, Lily Cullen, Maizy Cullen, Victoria Hawkins and Avrey Cullen.
    Parade winners from the Main Street Parade were: first place, Ellis Family Market Gone Irish (Susan Ellis, Jon Ellis, Ralph Ellis, Madeleine Ellis, George Ellis, Ezekiel Ellis, Peter Ellis, Sam Ellis, Sydney Ellis, Dawson McKenney, Amber Warner and Mikey Warner).
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
MASKED MARAUDERS — These masked men — and women — rode in support of the Patten ATV Club.
    Second-place went to “The Egyptians,” consisting of Wyatt Smith, Chandler Smith, Linda Smith, Emily Nason, Nathan Chase, Alex Chase, Belinda Chase and Kaycey Anderson.
    Third-place went to “Our Tribe,” consisting of Jocelyn McGraw-Lane, Connor Lane, Libby Anderson, Grace Anderson, Bradley Swallow, Bryanna Foster, Eryca McGraw, Bradley Hotham and Devin McGraw.
    Best Theme winner for the parade were the “Shin Pond Rednecks,” consisting of Vicki Nanni, Jon Harvey, Debbie Belknap, Gary Campbell, Shawn Rigby, Erin Lynch and Carson Lynch.
    Other winners of events held included: Beach Volleyball, Harriett Huntley’s team; Homerun Derby, Bryan Bridger; and Softball Tournament, Mook McGraw, Kali Rush, Ryan Albert, Jared Anderson, Melissa Duffy, Ronny McGraw, Terry Duffy, Keith Anderson, Brandon Maillet, Karen McGraw, Angie Qualey and Bryan Bridger.