HOULTON — Although it is technically still the dog days of summer, harvest season will soon be arriving in The County. And what better way to celebrate the coming season than an old-fashioned harvest festival?
The 56th annual Houlton Potato Feast Days are Friday and Saturday in the Shiretown, with a bundle of activities planned to celebrate all things spuddy.
“We are hoping to make things a little bigger this year,” said Jane Torres, executive director of the Greater Houlton Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are hoping to include more (potato) farmers and their equipment. I would love to see Broadway absolutely filled with farming equipment for people to see.”
The event kicks off Friday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. with the “Touch-a-Truck” event on Broadway, which will be closed to traffic. Also starting at 4 p.m. will be the fourth annual Chamber of Commerce Lobster Feast in Monument Park. The meal consists of Maine lobster, new potatoes, corn on the cob, Houlton Farms Dairy Butter to drench everything in and topped off with a homemade cookie.
For those less adventurous souls there will be hot dogs available with Houlton Farms Dairy lemonade.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber office the magical Doll and Wagon Wranglers Parade will wind its way through Market Square. When the parade ends in front of the Cary Library, the children are treated to juice and cookies. The youngsters will then be able to participate in a mini-tractor pull event.
At 7 p.m., Ted and the Boys take to the Houlton Amphitheatre to play at a variety of country songs.
Saturday’s schedule celebrates the farming community with a display of farm equipment from the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Musuem; a massively popular craft fair in Monument Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the ongoing Community Market in Market Square from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a spectacular array of locally grown vegetables, baked goods, and crafts; and the Church of Good Shepherd’s Pie and Ice Cream Sale and Yard Sale at Watson Hall.
The Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association will have a baked potato booth in Monument Park. In addition, there will be other demonstrations and vendors for people to shop at.
Children’s game will be played in the park from noon to 2 p.m.
