Peanut Carnival returns to Shiretown Aug. 1

5 years ago

HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Parks and Recreation Department’s “Just for Kids” summer playground program will once again be sponsoring its annual Peanut Parade, Peanut Carnival and coronation ceremony.

The parade is set for Wednesday, July 31, at 10 a.m. starting at the Recreation Center and making its way through downtown Houlton. This children’s parade will feature, floats, walkers, bikers and more.

The Peanut Carnival takes place the following day, Thursday, Aug. 1, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the tennis courts outside the Gentle Memorial Building. More than 40 games will be set up for families to play and cost nothing but peanuts.

In the event of rain, the games will move inside the Gentle Memorial Building.

The coronation of a new King and Queen will once again be the highlight of the festivities. The 2018 King and Queen Jay Tweedie and Emma Merrill will pass their crowns onto a new set of royalty.

This year’s candidates are ages 5-6, Mattie Goodwin and Caden Flewelling; ages 7-8, Alison Fagnant and Patrick Crane; ages 9-10, Edy Mincho and Parker Hiscoe; and ages 11-13, Madeline Beals and Zane Erickson.

For decades, the Houlton Recreation Department has closed out its summer program with the popular peanut carnival. Participants purchase a bag of peanuts which are then used as payment to play a variety of popular games.

This family event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Rec Center at 532-1310.