Fireworks, parade, fair highlight July 4th events

HOULTON, Maine — It was a July 4th week to remember as the town celebrated six days of festivities with everything from an arts and crafts fair, Midnight Madness celebration, large holiday parade and of course the annual Houlton Agricultural Fair.
    “The fourth of July events really went quite well,” said Lt. Dan Pelletier of the Houlton Police Department. “The parade, Midnight Madness and all the events in the park went off without incident.”
Pelletier said with roughly 3,700 people in downtown Houlton for Midnight Madness, the chances for an altercation were high. And yet none were reported.
“I think it was because we (police) had good visibility in the public eye,” he said. “Everything went smoothly.”
According to Fair President Paul Cleary, attendance was down at the fair this year. He estimated about 2,000 less people attended over the five-day period.
“We had a great fair, but our attendance was certainly down,” he said. “People loved the fireworks, which was nice.”
Cleary blamed a variety of factors including the fact that the Fourth of July fell on a Wednesday; high temperatures during the week; and the Bangor Waterfront Concert series for drawing people out of town.
Showers also kept some from attending the July 4th parade, but it couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who did turn out.
“This year’s parade was a little shorter than usual due to the rain before and during the parade,” said Leigh Cummings of the fair board. “The crowd was also somewhat smaller. The quality of the parade continues to improve, including several new entries this year.”
The following is list of parade winners: Best Commercial Entry, Dunn Furniture Company; Best Non-Commercial Entry, McGill’s Community Band; Best Walking Entry, Church in Action; Best Agricultural Entry, Bartlett Farms; and Chairman’s Choice Award, National Guard.
“Kid’s Day at the fair was well attended and very enjoyable,” Cummings said. “Carload Day was also very successful and allowed many families of limited means to enjoy all the fair has to offer at a greatly reduced price.
New this year was a redesigned fireworks show that featured more displays lower to the ground, making the park the ideal viewing location.
“The fireworks were absolutely spectacular,” Cummings said. “It was the largest and best fireworks show ever shot in Houlton. Those who viewed the lower show in the park saw something very special.”
Results from the many children’s events at the fair were:
Soccer Kick — 1, Amelia Callnan; 2, Austin Winslow; and 3, Kyle Brown.
Softball Throw — 1, Zachary Noonan; 2, Cameron Callnan; and 3, Malachi Cummings.
Kiddie Tractor Pull — Allie Worthley, under 45 pounds: Amelia Callnan, 45-60 pounds: and Skylar McCarthy, 60-75 pounds.
Egg Toss (July 4) — 1, Nathan Bouchard and Zach Hagan; and 2, Becky Crandall and Kyle Brown.
Burping Contest — Colby Callnan.
Bubblegum Blowing — Ages 1-10: Kassidy Parker; 10 and older, Renee Grant.
Pie Eating Contest — Heat 1, Eric MacFarland; Heat 2, Courtney Jurson.
Hula Hoop Contest —Meagan Willis, 10 and younger; and Katie Stevens, 11 and older.
Egg Toss (July 5) — 1, Jacob Worthley and Cameron Graham; and 2, Dalton Cloney and Quincy Henderson.
Salsa Chugging — 1, John Carr; and 2, Ashley Lowell.
Womens Skillet Throw — 1, Julie Winslow; and 2, Jana Worthley.
Mens Skillet Throw — 1, Dylan Crocket; and 2, Malachi Cummings.
Egg Toss (July 6) — 1, Austin Winslow and Eli Bulley; and 2, Quincy Henderson and Dalton Cloney.
Moxie Chugging — 1, Justin Ramsey; and 2, Dean Harding.
3-Legged Hackey Sack Contest — 1, Bryson Bulley and Cole Winslow; and 2, Isaac Jurson and Leigha Jurson.
Basketball Contest — 1, Cole Winslow; 2, Malachi Cummings; and 3, Austin Winslow.
Egg Toss (July 8) — 1, Josh McNinch and Quincy Henderson; and 2, LaDericka Sewell and Kelsey Sewell.