Ryan Wright, 5, perfectly captures the spirt of Houlton’s annual Potato Feast Days celebration. He is the son of Jon and Christina Wright of Littleton.
By Jane Torres
Special to the Houlton Pioneer Times
HOULTON — If you happened to be one of those people who were out of town this past weekend, you missed one of those shining moments where the community comes together for a celebration of small town life.
Looking around Monument Park Friday evening, one could not help but notice neighbors greeting neighbors, friends reconnecting with friends, children running everywhere and the smell of lobsters steaming in the pot. The park was the hub of the kickoff to Potato Feast weekend in Houlton.
The Rec center hosted its annual “Touch-a-Truck” event, which attracted adults and children alike. The Chamber’s Doll and Wagon Wrangler Parade, led by the Houlton Police Department and Tim Humphrey, happily wound through downtown serenaded by “Teddy Bear Picnic” and ended in front of the library, where about 70 children enjoyed juice and goody bags.
The youngsters then lined up to have a chance at the Coin Scramble sponsored by Buildings Etc., and Machias Savings Bank. Each child had a chance to sift through pine shavings searching for quarters and 50 cent pieces.
There was one boy around 10-year-old who, after his turn was over, stood on the sidelines and if a child wasn’t having any luck finding coins he would throw one of his down for that child to discover. When asked why he was giving away his money, he said that the fun wasn’t in having the cash it was in the search and he wanted to share that joy with someone else.
The fun really started when Ted and the Boys set up their equipment in the Amphitheatre and rocked the crowd into the night. Ted Bither said that he had always wanted to play there and, thanks to the generosity of The Bank of Maine, the Chamber of Commerce was able to make that dream come true. Long after darkness, the band played on and the crowd stayed to listen. I think if the lights hadn’t been attracting every bug within a mile the band and the audience would have been there until midnight!
Saturday the crowd was back and ready to shop. The Craft Fair, the local merchants, and Community Market all provided a great opportunity for bargain shoppers and those looking for handmade items. Even if you weren’t in the shopping mood there was plenty to look at and lots to do. Jon Miller and the Northern Maine Motor Society provided antique vehicles and equipment and the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum left an old-fashioned digger and potato truck downtown to remind us of our heritage. The Friends and Needles Quilters held their show at the Houlton Higher Education Center and reported the best attendance ever.
The Houlton Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank all the volunteers and sponsors who made this weekend so successful. It is truly heartwarming to have the community come together to celebrate the mighty potato.
Jane Torres is executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce.