Organizers of the first-ever Riverfront Harvest Festival were at the mercy of the fall weather.
The original date for the Harvest Festival was Sept. 29, but the rains moved in, forcing cancellation of all events. Organizers reset plans for the next weekend, Oct. 6, and under gloomy skies, with breaking patches of sun, along with a gushing wind the event went on.
The Riverfront Park was going to be set up with artists with their paintings and the park was going to have a full-slate of musicians, along with the River of Fire.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
CRAFT TIME — Naloni Alverado, left, and Savannah Walton paint pumpkins during the Harvest Festival.
“We had to consolidate the festivities into Market Square because of the predicted rainy weather,” explained Jane Torres, executive director of the chamber of commerce. “However, the threat of rain could not dampen the enthusiasm generated by hundreds of appreciative families and others just stopping by to see what all the excitement was about.”
The day began at 9 a.m. and finished with an ATV parade at 4 p.m.
“Crowds came and enjoyed a true community-driven event,” Torres said.
The Community Market closed out its harvest season by sharing their space with extra craft vendors, demonstrations, food booths, music, kid’s games and a very special appearance by The Tractor Train. More than 140 children attended the free movies at the Temple Theatre, Torres added.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
JUMPING — A happy child leaps into the air during one of the many childrens’ games.
Lori Weston, community development director for the town of Houlton and the co-chairman of the festival, had her heart set on a pie extravaganza.
“We were hoping to have 100 pies donated and we not only met that goal, but sold them all by noon!,” she said. “It was a great money maker for the Riverfront and the Chamber of Commerce.”
“It is always disappointing to have to cancel parts of a festival,” said Torres “Concerts by Ted and the Boys and Mellow Endeavor and the River Of Fire were not in the cards for this year.”
But, Torres and Weston promise that the second annual Riverfront Harvest Festival will be bigger, better and the weather will be expected to cooperate.Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
TOSSING — Mary Drew Metherell tosses an apple during a kids’ game.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
TRACTOR MAN — Sonny Folsom pulls a series of miniature tractors through downtown Houlton as part of the Harvest Festival.
