Squapan Fun Fest marks fifth year
By Jennifer Buzza
SQUAPAN LAKE – The fifth annual Squapan Fun Fest was celebrated by camp owners and their families during the Fourth of July weekend. The day began with cloudy skies and occasional sprinkles, but as promised by local meteorologists, the skies cleared and the sun shone brightly by early afternoon. Fifteen children enjoyed decorating their bicycles and wagons for the bike parade down the Bangor Road and back. Even two adult camp owners decorated their bicycles, as well as themselves, to serve as the “caboose” for the parade! Children were greeted by camp owner Sharon Litvinchyk at the end of the Bangor Road to receive a light-up flag necklace and a bag of candy, compliments of the Fun Fest Committee.
Upon everyone’s return to the landing, attendees had the opportunity to purchase Squapan souvenirs, 50/50 tickets, and register for the annual Camp Decorating Contest and Boat Parade. With the sun high in the sky and the temperatures rising, children and adults didn’t hesitate to participate in a watermelon eating contest with prizes awarded in each age group. In the five and under category, four youngsters were more concerned about enjoying their afternoon snack of watermelon slices, rather than competing to win! At the conclusion of their “casual” competition, five-year-old Josh Keiser was the winner. The six- to eight-year-olds were far more competitive, and far messier! Eight-year-old Grayden Griffeth finished his pieces first. Molly Kingsbury was named the winner in the nine to 12-year-old group, and with a free ticket to the bean-hole-bean supper at stake, eight adults took a seat at the table to inhale their watermelon! With six men and only two women competing, Tim York finished the fastest.
During the afternoon, families enjoyed face painting, games, and a new family project – tie dying T-shirts. Children also had the opportunity to dig around in a pile of sawdust for the annual toy hunt. Camp owner Betty Jones set up her karaoke machine for young and old to share their singing abilities, with participation prizes awarded.
By 6 p.m., nearly 400 camp owners and members of the public enjoyed the Club’s traditional bean-hole-bean supper. International recording artist Randolph Michaud of Mapleton provided musical entertainment during and after the bean supper. With the sun continuing to shine and friendly clouds moving in, the boat parade was led down the lake. Driving slowly in front of the panel of judges, some boats featured a heavily decorated patriotic theme, one featured Lady Liberty herself, and other chose to play music or perform on their own. Regardless of the outcome, the audience appreciated everyone’s efforts. After deliberating, the judges awarded the Best Overall Winner’s trophy to Dwight and Ida Burtt and family (Squapan’s Lady Liberty) of Squapan Lake and the Honorable Mention Ribbon was given to Art Crouse’s family of Presque Isle.
At 7 p.m., families raced to the finish line to turn in their collections from the annual family scavenger hunt. After several hours of tracking down nearly 60 items, Jennifer Keiser and family of Presque Isle took home the top prize. The family coming in a close second was their camp neighbors, Karen and Tim Byram and family of Massachusetts.
The evening concluded with ice cream sales to benefit the Fun Fest Committee and marshmallow roasting and s’moresmaking at the landing in the new personalized fire pit created by camp owner Fred Haines.
Sunday afternoon camp owners met at Dave and Phyllis McIntyre’s camp for their annual business meeting. Various issues were discussed and four camp owners were voted in for a new three-year term. One camp owner was voted in for a one-year term following the medical resignation of a board member. The winner of the annual Camp Decorating Contest was named and the traveling moose antler trophy was awarded to Art Crouse and his family of Presque Isle.
The Squapan Outing Club would like to thank the public for its continued support. Whether you attended the bean supper, purchased Squapan Lake souvenirs or 50/50 tickets, the club appreciates the generosity of our neighbors! We hope to see you all at our bean supper again next year!
The club is also asking for the public’s assistance regarding some thefts in the area. As the Outing Club became 9-1-1 compliant, each property was assigned a number, our roads were named and signs were purchased. Since these new road signs have been mounted, the club has been the victim of numerous thefts. The signs are put in place to benefit the camp owners in the event of an emergency. First responders will have a difficult time locating someone in distress without our road signs. Each time these signs are stolen, the club bears the financial responsibility of replacing the sign. As a non-profit organization, this can be a real burden. If you have any information regarding the thefts of our road signs, you are asked to please contact the Maine State Police or Sheriff’s Department.
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Buzza
FAMILIES PARTICIPATED in a tie-dying activity during the annual Squapan Lake Fun Fest Fourth of July weekend. Games, face painting, watermelon eating contest, and karaoke were all enjoyed by camp owners and their families, followed by the annual bean-hole-bean supper and boat parade.
DURING SQUAPAN LAKE’S fifth annual Fun Fest weekend and boat parade, Dwight and Ida Burtt’s family decorated their pontoon boat to vie for the winner’s trophy. Pictured are, from left: Jeanne Curtain, the Burtt’s daughter-in-law; their grandson, Austin Burtt, dressed like an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island; and “Lady Liberty” Ida Burtt. After the judges deliberated, the Burtt family was awarded the Best Overall Winner’s trophy for the second time in three years.
