Staff Writer
NEW SWEDEN — Equipped with rubber boots and bug spray, music lovers braved the elements to attend the annual Aroostakoostik music festival at Thomas Park on June 27.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Thomas Park was a wonderful fit for the Arootsakoostik festival, sheltering the musicians from the elements. The Kelly Ravin Trio, originally from Vermont, had no problems coping with the rain.
Even with the occasional drizzle and overcast skies, concertgoers raised $500 for Thomas Park and donated canned good to the New Sweden Food Pantry.
“Despite the weather, the turnout was better than last year,” said Travis Cyr, organizer of the Arootsakoostik festival. “We’ve been telling people that two things you’re going to get at Arootsakoostik are the impending threat of a natural disaster and some high quality music.”
Festival goes didn’t seem phased by the showers, as there were crowds of people at each of the two stages rain or shine.
“You think about some of the original festivals where everybody was just playing in the mud and now if it’s raining, they don’t get off the couch,” Cyr joked. “I’d say we probably had roughly 250 people; everybody was having a good time despite the weather, everything was on time, everybody enjoyed themselves and [artists performed] some great music,” he said.
Last year, about 200 people attended the event. The increased attendance came to no surprise form many travelers from downstate, who claimed that the Portland music scene was abuzz with Arootsakoostik chatter.
“The festival started because of a love for music,” said Cyr, a musician himself. “Most of my friends are playing and living elsewhere. We thought about relocating to be closer to the music, but we love The County. [Instead,] we thought we would try to bring some of the music and excitement to The County while doing some good at the same time,” he added.
A few travelers commented on the feel of the festival at Thomas Park.
“Look around,” said one musician, gesturing to the dense trees and distant rolling hills, “this is Maine.”
“The spirit [at this festival] is of mutual respect and love of all the musicians and all the music being played,” Cyr said. “Everyone is so supportive and so encouraging of each other and the overall vibe is really friendly, which makes for a beautiful event, rain or shine.”
The festival drew an eclectic crowd; from toddlers to the elderly, toes were tapping regardless of whether they were under brightly colored polka-dot rubber boots or a sensible pair of leather hikers. Whether standing, sitting, or swinging on the swingset, the beat and the mood of the festival was contagious.
This was the first year that the festival had a second stage, which went over very well.
“It worked out excellent,” Cyr said. “There was a good steady crowd in front of the second stage all day; I don’t think it’s detracted from the main stage and it’s just a way to cram even more music into the day. We just wanted to delve into the festival experience and offer the concert goes as much as we could — two stages of music, a kids area, vendors — it’s all to increase the enjoyment of everyone attending the concert.”
Thomas Park may very well be the perfect location for the event, according to Cyr.
“The town has been nothing but supportive and the venue itself, as far as I’m concerned, it’s a hidden jewel up here that not many people are even aware of,” Cyr said. “The vibe of this whole park, it’s perfect for our little [festival].
Being musically inspired in Aroostook County can be challenging, Cyr found out.
“It’s difficult, that’s why I have to do things like this,” Cyr joked. “It’s very difficult, but I’ve been plugging away at this for a couple of years now, and there are people who support it. It’s tough,” he added. “I play once a month at a bar in Van Buren called the Yacht Club, I play at Napoli’s in Caribou every now and then, I make three or four trips down to the Portland area and play gigs around the state based on that a couple times a year, but it’s tough up here.”
Cyr expressed his appreciation toward the Law Offices of Bemis and Rossignol, Northern Prosthetics, Aroostook Wellness, S.W. Collins Co., Cyr Construction, Norstate FCU, Citadel Radio, Odds Are Productions, Napoli’s and Gassett’s Deli & Lodge as well as to all the volunteers, musicians and people who attended the festival despite a little bit of rain.
Aroostook Republican photos/Natalie Bazinet
With each musician doubling up on talent, Cody Tibbetts playing guitar and drums while Nathan Raleigh sang and played the bass, their band, The Class Machine, entertained an enthusiastic group that gathered in front of the second stage to watch them perform.
This year, the Arootsakoostik festival successfully offered spectators a second stage of music.
Chriss Sutherland of South Portland entertained a crowd of roughly 250 that attended the Arootsakoostik festival at Thomas Park in New Sweden on June 27. Funds raised by the festival went to Thomas Park, and festival spectators donated canned goods to the New Sweden food pantry. This was the third year of the festival.
