A Wallagrass community group is working to fund a new pavilion with two upcoming events – a Mother’s Day Breakfast on May 10 and the town’s annual Pondfest on June 27.
The group, the Wallagrass/Soldier Pond Revitalization Committee, had hoped to start the pavilion last year, but they were forced to choose another location due to building regulations, chairperson Elaine Desjardins said.
Higher labor and supply costs also set the project back, she said.
The group now plans to put the pavilion at the lookout on Strip Road, which is near the borders of New Canada, Fort Kent, and Wallagrass. The new structure will boost the town’s event space and accommodate larger crowds.
“This site is often used by locals and travelers and will serve more people,” Desjardins said. “It can be a place for other events, such as farmers’ markets, to sell local produce or crafts, a place to gather for family ceremonies or get-togethers with friends.”
The committee has been around since 2010, hosting the town’s annual Pond Fest and putting up flags every year.
“We did some benefits for food pantries, and then we took over the school building when it closed and renovated it for the community,” she said.
The Wallagrass school closed almost 10 years ago in 2017, and now hosts several community events, including the upcoming Mother’s Day breakfast.
The group explored fundraising for a veterans’ memorial, but later handed the project to a local veterans group.
The veterans organization continues the memorial project in collaboration with New Canada and Cross Lake. Pavers in honor of loved ones can be purchased at the town office, Desjardins said.
The community group consists of about 10 people and has already raised about $30,000 for the pavilion. They hope to raise $35,000 more and are hoping this year’s events will give them the remaining money to start the project.
Stores in the area will sell rubber ducks that will be dumped into the pond during Pond Fest. The first three to pass under the bridge will win cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25. Desjardins said they usually make around $800 every year just from selling the ducks.
They plan to dedicate the area to Beth McNalley. McNalley, originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, had moved to the area and was a founding member of the committee.
“She’s the one that actually started the idea of getting a group together and putting up street flags. That’s where it all started from, and she passed away last year,” Desjardins said.
Pond Fest is one of the town’s largest events, and Desjardins said it is a lot of work to organize everything.
“We have a big parade, we have a fireworks show, and we have a good turnout,” she said. “Every year there’s more kids that come back to the school that they went to. Our school always had a good reputation.”
