Community support keeps
65-year-old Festival going strong
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD — The Maine Potato Blossom Festival, one of the oldest and most established festivals in the state, will be held July 14-22 in Fort Fairfield and is sure to attract spectators and participants both near and far.
Staff photos/Kathy McCarty
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY steps and lawn prove to be a popular location for watching the annual Potato Blossom Parade in Fort Fairfield, 
with dozens of spectators choosing this location to view the event.
Founded in 1937 as a way to celebrate the state’s supreme commodity — the potato — this year’s Maine Potato Blossom Festival enters its 65th year.
According to Mike Bosse, the nine-day festival will feature something for everyone.
“We’re always looking for new events and people are invited to bring us their ideas,” he said. “New this year we’ve got Molly the Trolley coming over from Presque Isle on Sunday, July 22 from noon-3 p.m. She will be giving free rides from the Community Bandstand every half hour.
ANAH TEMPLE INDY CARS are a popular attraction for area parade-goers. Here, members of the Shriners’ organization make their way along Main Street in Fort Fairfield during the annual Potato Blossom Parade.
“Another new event is the Spuddy Recovery Triathlon — sponsored by The Aroostook Medical Center and Acadia Medical Supply — on Saturday, July 21 at 1 p.m.,” said Bosse. “That’s going to fill in the gap between the time that we shut off Main Street for the parade until the time the parade gets to the reviewing stand on downtown Main Street.”
AREA EQUESTRIANS proudly lead the Maine Potato Blossom Parade along Main Street in Fort Fairfield.
This unique county triathlon will consist of walker, wheelchair, crutches and — of course — potatoes! Only 16 slots are available for this contest. For more information and to apply to compete, go to www.tamc.org.
“We’ve got over 100 events this year,” said Bosse. “There is absolutely something for everyone. Each night at the Community Bandstand we’ve got entertainment which ranges anywhere from karaoke to full bands. We’ll have a lot of community players such as local fiddlers and gospel singers. Fort Fairfield has no shortage of talented musicians.”
FREDDIE HAINES, of Presque Isle, dressed as a Shrine clown, is a regular in parades. Here he drives behind the Maine Forest Service’s vehicle and Smokey the Bear during the Maine Potato Blossom Parade.
Bosse said the key to the festival’s longevity is the public’s support.
“It’s a community favorite … a northern Maine favorite and a state of Maine favorite. It ranks right up there with the best festivals in the state,” he said. “The key to it is the way the community supports it … both financially and with putting on their events.
“With over 100 events, there’s over 100 chair people, which translates into many more hundred committee people involved with putting the events on,” said Bosse. “For example, the Boy Scouts put on a couple different barbecues and a horseshoe tournament. Those kids and their leaders are all involved and that’s one event. We have enormous support from the Fort Fairfield community and surrounding communities. Every church and civic organization in Fort Fairfield has something going on. When you add that in with the sponsored events like the street dance and industry dinner, it’s a great outpouring from the community at large.”
SIGHTINGS of pageant queens, politicians and even Elvis are possible during Fort Fairfield’s annual parade honoring the potato industry.
Many people who have left the area will come back for the Potato Blossom Festival as 11 high school reunions are planned over the next several days including the Class of 1947, which will hold their 65th class reunion Thursday, July 19 at the Crow’s Nest in Presque Isle.
“I’m going to get phone calls on July 23 from people that are going to have their class reunions in 2013 wanting to know the dates of next year’s festival,” said Bosse. “They all want to get their events penciled in on the calendar early.”
Other popular events will include the parade, mashed potato wrestling, Maine Potato Blossom queen pageants, an antique tractor pull and fireworks.
For more information, log onto www.potatoblossom.org.
WHILE PLAYING with your food is frowned upon by some, it’s a necessity when participating in the Mashed Potato Wrestling. This year’s event will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, July 20 in the Food Court.
