WASHBURN, Maine — Despite some rumors to the contrary, the town of Washburn will be hosting its 38th annual August Festival during the third weekend of August, said event organizer Hollie Umphrey.
“There’s so many people still thinking that there’s not going to be an August festival. But in fact it’s alive and well,” Umphrey said.
The Washburn August Festival was first held in 1980 and was among the first of Aroostook County’s small town summer festivals doubling as a homecoming event, Umphrey said.
“It started with a group of ladies and a budget of $300.”
The event, scheduled for Aug. 17-19, has always featured a parade, food and craft vendors, music and school reunions.
“This year, we thought to regenerate the festival we wanted to dedicate the event to veterans,” Umphrey said.
The festival this year will feature a veterans parade and the dedication of the town’s new Washburn Area Veterans Park at the front of Story Hill Park. The Washburn Rotary Club, Boy Scout Troop 177, Scout master Larry Harrison and several local companies and organizations have been working to install new flags, a cannon and landscaping renovations at the park.
“We want to see as many veterans from near and far away march and be recognized. It’s important that we pay tribute,” Umphrey said. “Washburn is probably one of the last communities in all of Aroostook that has not done a dedication of a veterans park.”
Other activities during the festival include a Washburn high school alumni banquet on Friday night, a pop-up beer garden, a bounce house for kids, a craft fair at the elementary school, and a barbeque cook off contest. There also will be music from local bands, The Star-City Syndicate and Tim the Tune Man, and a Gospel concert Sunday afternoon.
“We’re looking for everyone to come out,” Umphrey said. “Spaces are free of charge for arts and crafts vendors at the elementary school.”
For more information on participating, the barbeque cook off or the crafts fair, contact Hollie Umphrey at hjumphrey@gmail.com.
