Madawaska area fall events coming up soon

1 month ago

MADAWASKA, Maine – Fall events are around the corner in the Madawaska area, from the return of the St. David Fall Craft Fair for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, to a trunk or treat and pumpkin decorating contest.

The craft fair will take place at the St. David Church Hall on 774 Main Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Oct. 12 and 13. Proceeds from the fair will support the church’s youth ministry.

Lead craft fair organizer Kathleen Lagasse said the craft fair first started around 2014. It was held annually for roughly five years prior to the pandemic.

About five people altogether are involved in organizing the event. One is making the beans and hot dogs to go with Saturday’s event, another is making chicken stew and ployes for Sunday, and about three others will be involved in setting up tables.

Lagasse said on Monday that they have room for 25 crafters and that they’ve nearly filled this up, with 23 currently signed up. She said all the crafters are from the St. John Valley area, and that everyone is offering something different.

“They make all sorts of different things,” she said. “From soap makers to wood burning, knitting, crocheting, quilting and baking.”

And while some of the crafters will be new, Lagasse said the event will be similar to what was held in the late 2010s. She said posting about the event on the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce website also helped in preparation, and that about five new crafters signed up after seeing the flier.

“It’s really exciting to see new crafters coming in,” she said.

The “Trunk or Treat” is set for Oct. 31 at the town’s multipurpose center on 104 7th avenue. It will go from 5 to 7 p.m.

Rec Department Program Director Becca Cyr said on Monday that typically about 300 kids attend the event with their parents and family members. They also hope to have about 20 to 30 sponsors by the time of the event.

“We will be running things a little differently this year,” she said. “We’re asking sponsors to have something interactive to do at their trunk or booth.”

These activities will be simple games that let kids earn or win their candy, Cyr said. If the weather cooperates, she said they will have trunks outside the building and booths inside.

“Hoping to have our bouncy houses up, and food trucks available so families can make an event of it,” Cyr said.

Another new addition is a pumpkin decorating contest, hosted by the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce. The prize for the best kids pumpkin, made by someone 13 years old or younger, is a $25 gift card to Marden’s. The prize for a pumpkin made by someone over 13 is a $50 gift card to Mad Town Variety.

Those who want to enter will provide their own pumpkin and decorate it. They need to be dropped off at the multipurpose building by 4 p.m. on Oct. 30 and picked up by Nov. 4. Any pumpkins left after this will be thrown out.

Jessica Blalock, St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said people who visit the multipurpose center for the trunk or treat event can judge their favorite pumpkins in each of the two categories by handing in written votes. 

“The partnership with the chamber comes from a strong motivation to bring our local organizations together for the greater good of our residents and community,” Cyr said. “And their idea for a pumpkin contest pairs well with a more interactive experience with sponsors and kids.”