Idol fever to hit Shiretown

 By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The much anticipated Houlton Agricultural Fair, whose origins date back to the early 1900s, will roll into town July 2-5 with rides, games of chance, a full blown midway and singing sensation Josh Gracin of American Idol fame in concert for one show at 7:30 p.m., Friday July 3.
MAINE ATTRACTION — Country singing star and American Idol finalist, Josh Gracin, will perform in concert for the Houlton Fair, Friday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m.
   Gracin, now a top-selling country artist and former Marine, was a finalist on the second season of American Idol which helped launch the California-based singer’s music career. Organizers of the fair expect him to rock the Miller Civic Center with several hits from his albums for fans who saw him on the popular TV show that has swept the country for the last eight years. The $24 and $28 concert tickets include the $10 admission to the fairgrounds with admission to all the rides.
    Paul Cleary, this year’s fair president, says concert tickets are available in Houlton at York’s Bookstore, Andy’s IGA, Houlton Chamber of Commerce, Chadwick Florists and Trend Setters. And, after the Gracin performance, there is a potential that many or most of the 2,500 concertgoers may end up going to Houlton’s “Midnight Madness” summer kick-off with special sales and prices in the downtown area. Cleary adds that the fair is an economic development tool for the town that casts a wide net and “may bring people to the area who may not know anything about Houlton, Maine.”
    The annual event has a slate of events from serious to surreal. The schedule includes a horse and livestock show, Oreo stacking and bubble gum blowing contests, a cash-grab booth, an egg-tossing contest, a karaoke contest and a K-9 Frisbee dog show to name a just a few of the planned events.
    For more information on the fair, a complete schedule of events or to purchase tickets online, visit: www.houltonfair.com.