By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
It’s official. The Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride at Merrill Millstream Park will become an annual event.
The first show on Feb. 23 proved to be very successful, according to Merrill/Smyrna Town Manager Candy Nevers.
“It was a smashing success,” she heralded. “People dropped by, some stayed all day, while others stayed just for awhile. Everyone had a wonderful time.”
Each event held at Merrill Park begins with the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, Kenny Bustard served as Master of Ceremonies.
“He kept the crowd laughing with his one-liners,” Nevers said. “He even said himself, ‘I don’t know where some of this stuff that comes out of my mouth comes from.’ It was all in good family humor.”
One of the featured vintage snowmobiles was a Model “T” Ford, which aptly could fit right into the Owls Head Transportation Museum. It was in unparalleled condition. The 1926 Model “T” is owned by Wayne and Sherry Campbell of Millinocket.
Wayne and his son, Jeff Campbell, brought another double-wide antique sled — the Autoboggan — with a bench seat for a driver and passenger and the motor exposed in the back.
The Campbells treated children to rides, hauling a red sleigh behind the classic Model “T.”
There were seven other people, along with the Campbells, who brought old-fashioned sleds to the event — Ross Crandall, Rodney Hemingway, Curtis Harrison, John Cleary and Aiden Furrow.
Furrow, 3 years old, showed his “Kitty Kat” and was the youngest participant for antique sleds. Each participant received a collectible glass Maple Leaf jar etched MMP 2013, donated by Spring Break Maple in Smyrna.
But, bliss for the children, and some adults, was the sliding contest. The driveway down to Merrill Park was plowed just right for sleds, saucers and toboggans to whip down. Each sled filled with smiling faces, as the temperatures were seasonable.
“Most of the children and a number of parents and grandparents spent a great deal of time sliding,” Nevers added. “One could hear the happy squeals of children playing as far away as downtown Smyrna!”
Volunteers for the one-day event came from all over the state. They included Alden Bustard of Bangor; Carl Bustard of Rockland; Ken and Pearl Bustard of Bucksport; Heidi Pratt of Oakfield; Mike Kitchen of Oakfield; Chad and Amanda Davis of Ellsworth; Susan Flynn of Rockland; Peter and Shirley Drew of Oakfield; Michelle Boutilier of Oakfield, who was the lone representative of the Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department helping with traffic control.
“Andy Bustard was on hand to build a warming fire and kept it going all day!,” said Nevers. “When little hands and feet got chilly from too much sliding, they could get warm by the fire and drink hot cocoa.”
During the day, hot chocolate, cookies, coffee and donuts were free, with many people leaving a donation, while other concessions were sold for a small fee.
“Many would say the food was the highlight of the day,” said Nevers, “but for me, it was hearing the children play and have such fun. They played on the playground equipment, with many enjoying the ringing of the ball on the ship, were treated to rides on antique sleds, a sleigh and a wagon pulled behind a sled.”
However, depending on who was asked, a different answer was heard.
“Men probably would agree that it was getting a chance to look at the old sleds and talk about days gone by,” said Nevers.
Throughout the day, approximately 130 people visited the park, with 40 to 45 children on hand.
“The number of the people present exceeded our expectations given that it was Tournament Week and many people were on vacation,” said Nevers. “The day was great, as people were reacquainted with their neighbors after being snowed in several times this year!”
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| VINTAGE — The 1926 Model “T” Ford Snowmobile, owned by Wayne and Sherry Campbell of Millinocket, was an attraction to The Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride at Millstream Park. | THE BIG KIDS — Cindy Bartman, front, is ahead of Michelle Boutilier coming down the sliding hill during The Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride at Merrill Millstream Park. |
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| LITTLE CUTIE — One of the younger participants of The Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride at Millstream Park is Rogan Bustard. | SLEDDERS — Hope Parker, front, slides down a hill with her grandfather, Tom Milton. |
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| TAKING A LOOK — Curtis Harrison checks out a 1943 Eliason Motor Toboggan during The Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride at Millstream Park Feb. 23. | OLDIES — Several antique sleds were on display for folks to take a look at. |
