The 2021 Mapleton Daze is underway with a special new show this evening “Dialed Action Sports BMX Bike Show,” at the Mapleton Elementary School playground starting at 6:30 pm.
During the event two BMX bikes will be raffled off, one for a boy and one for a girl. In case of inclement weather, the show will be moved into the school gym.
Cornhole Tournament
Mapleton Baptist Church will sponsor the first cornhole tournament at Mapleton Daze starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. This will be a single-elimination tournament for 32 people age 13 and older. Participants will receive a T-shirt designed just for the tournament. The winner will have bragging rights for an entire year. Cost: $15 person.
Register for the tournament at Mapleton Baptist Church now through Friday, June 25, between 4 and 8 p.m. Play started Tuesday, and through Friday (weather permitting) anyone can play from 4 to 8 p.m. at the church. Cost is $1 per person per game.
Come have fun with friends, learn the game or scope out the competition. Someone will be crowned champion of the first-ever Mapleton Daze cornhole tournament.
Cribbage and Bingo
Mapleton Daze will host cribbage and Bingo Thursday, June 24, starting at 6 p.m. at the Mapleton Lions Hall. Both are free of charge. There will be hot dogs and goodies available. Please consider bringing a nonperishable food item to help support the Mapleton Community Cupboard.
Chicken barbecue
One the most popular events during Mapleton Daze is the Mapleton Lions Club’s delicious chicken barbecue.
For $12 each meal will consist of a barbecue chicken breast, cole slaw, potato salad, roll and a beverage.
This will be a drive-thru even. Diners will purchase and pick up their meal before taking their food to the Mapleton school, where picnic tables will be set up and live musical and dancing entertainment will be offered until the fireworks start at dusk at the school.
Saturday breakfast
Free breakfast sandwiches will be provided by the Mapleton and Chapman local churches on Saturday, June 26, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. next door to the Mapleton Post Office. Everyone is invited. Diners are asked to consider bringing a nonperishable item for the Tri-Town Community Cupboard.
For the more adventuresome individuals, Saturday breakfast will be served with a view from the top of Haystack Mountain. Maine Health Let’s Go 5-2-1-0 in Partnership with Aroostook County Action Program sponsors the sunrise hike up the mountain starting at 7 a.m.
Join the group at 7 a.m. in the parking lot at the bottom of Haystack. Guide Adam Murchison will lead. At the top you will enjoy a healthy breakfast as a group before you descend. All ages are welcome and this event is free.
Car Show
The Mapleton Daze Committee is putting out the call for all antique vehicles for their annual Car Show that will be located at the Mapleton Baptist Church. Registration for the event is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church (across from the Mapleton Elementary School).
The committee also asks exhibitors to hop into the Mapleton Daze Parade, which will award a trophy for Best Antique Vehicle. Additional awards will be given out at the car show.
Mapleton Daze Parade
The big Mapleton Daze Parade will be held Saturday, June 26, at 10 a.m.
Lineup will start at 9 a.m. at the corner of the Dudley Road and Main Street. The parade will go through downtown and end at the Mapleton Elementary School/Mapleton Baptist Church.
The committee is looking for businesses/organizations, antique vehicles, queens from the Mapleton area and beyond, bands, farm tractors/equipment, churches, fire trucks from the different towns, etc., to be part of the parade, in order to make this the biggest parade Mapleton has ever seen (we need to make up for last year).
The committee will present awards for the Best Non-Profit, Best Business, Best Antique Car, Best Tractor, Best Queen Float and Best Overall Entry. If you would like to have entry into our parade, please come by 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 26, for lineup.
Pie and ice cream sale
Haystack Historical Society will sell homemade pie and ice cream starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday. These desserts will be available at the Haystack Historical Society’s Museum on Main Street. The society expects 15 different kinds of pie to be available.
The cost for a homemade slice of pie will be $2.50, or $3 with a scoop of homemade ice cream, or $3.50 with two scoops.
Family Fun Night
Another new event is a family fun night at Baptist Park where families and kids can enjoy the mini golf course, a zip line, a low ropes challenge course and other activities. Activities start at 6 p.m. with a drive-in movie, “I Still Believe,” at dark (around 8 p.m).
Baptist Park is located at 60 Park Road, Mapleton, just off the Carvel Road.
Music and dessert
Following Mapleton Daze, on Sunday, June 27, there will be music and dessert for all who attend.
Starting at 5:15 p.m. a mini-concert featuring Pastor Nate Gardiner and Sherri Calhoun will occur. Following their performances, dessert will be served at 6 p.m., and while is being served and enjoyed various musicians from our local churches will perform.
According to the organizers, admission and dessert are free, but the fellowship is priceless.
While there is no charge for the evening, there will be opportunity for attendees to donate nonperishable food items for the Mapleton/Castle Hill/Chapman food pantry. This is an event for everyone.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
