HOULTON, Maine — Just as most vendors were set-up for the town’s summer festival on Thursday evening, powerful winds shook tents as a thunderstorm burst overhead.
But that didn’t scare anyone away from the 29th annual Midnight Madness in downtown historic Houlton. And by 7 p.m. thousands were packed into a several block area downtown, featuring foods, artisans, games and live music.
There were tattoo specials in local shops, a caricature artist, sales in downtown stores that remained open long past normal hours, scavenger hunts and prizes keeping with this year’s Treasure Island theme. ”
Like most years, festival goers flocked to join the several-block-long line outside Sadie’s Bakery for their famous once-a-year doughboy treat. Other food offerings included crowd favorites like Maple Pig, Shiretown Smokehouse, Timberwolves and the Maple Moose.
“They only make them for Midnight Madness,” someone in line for Sadies said.
There were families with kids and babies in tow, groups of friends making a continuous circuit up and down Houlton’s Market Square and plenty of dogs that many stopped to pet along the way.
Most years the event draws about 8,000, and despite the early burst of rain and winds, Cis Rhoda, head of the Houlton Gateway Ambassadors, said there were easily as many or more people than last year.
Midnight Madness started as a shopping experience, with shops remaining opening at night, but over the years it has evolved into a fabulously fun-packed street fair that gives participants plenty to choose from including live bands and street dancing, kids games and tons of decadent treats like maple cotton candy.
The Star City Syndicate, a 20-piece band, was unable to attend because of the thunderstorms. So, the Marionette Party Band, slated as the 4:30 p.m. entertainment, took the lead band role with singer Shelby Pelletier keeping things fun and rocking.
The event wound down following a fireworks display from Riverside Park around 10 p.m., but the holiday festivities will continue throughout the weekend with a Fourth of July Parade that’s double last year’s size, a downtown craft fair and the International Food Festival.
