Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
WATERMELON ANYONE? — Ethan Holmes helps pass out watermelon slices as part of the Andy’s IGA float during last year’s Fourth of July parade.
By Shelby Hartin
Student Intern
HOULTON — As a prelude to Fourth of July festivities, the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its annual Midnight Madness event on Wednesday, July 3.
In its 26th year of operation, Midnight Madness will offer the public a celebration consisting of sidewalk vendors, music and food booths. This year’s theme will be “Wild, Wild West.”
A change of events is in store for this year, as the Mr. and Miss Sparkler and Mr. and Miss Firecracker pageants will take place on July 2 rather than the night of Midnight Madness. The Sparkler division is open to boys and girls age 2 and under, while the Firecracker division is for 3- and 4-year-olds. Each child must be accompanied onstage by a parent or guardian where the child will be judged on personality and patriotic appearance. Those who would like to participate can register at the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce; pre-registration will also take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Houlton Rec Center with a start time of 6 p.m.
“This year we’re doing [the pageants] the night before [Midnight Madness],” Jane Torres, executive director for the chamber said.
“It’s amazing how many people come. It’s a lot of fun,” she added.
Even though the Mr. and Miss Sparkler and Mr. and Miss Firecracker pageants will take place the night before Midnight Madness, July 3 will play host to a number of other events.
“We’re starting this year on the early side,” Torres said of the Midnight Madness event.
Vendors from the popular Community Market will begin setting up at 5 p.m. in the center section of Market Square. They will be on-hand throughout the evening showcasing locally crafted goods.
Miracle Mile: McKenna and Maggie’s Race for Research will begin at 6 p.m. with registration time at 5 p.m. The race is one mile and will benefit cancer research.
Tim Humphrey, better known as “Tim the Tune Man” by those he entertains, will occupy Market Square from 5-8 p.m.
“He’s downtown to get the children involved. He does a lot with them. He sings and does contests with them,” Torres said of Humphrey’s performance.
At 7 p.m. the McGill Community Band and the 195th Army Band will play in Market Square.
Wally and the Virginians will take over at 8:30 p.m. on a stage constructed in front of Severson, Hand, & Nelson in Market Square.
Everyone’s favorite event will take place at 9:45 p.m. as a fireworks show is scheduled at the Riverfront Park. Fireworks will be set off near the Gateway Crossing Bridge overlooking the Meduxnekeag River.
Music will return at 11:30 p.m. when a brass quintet will take the stage in Market Square. Afterward, the 195th Army Rock Band will put on a show at the amphitheater. It will begin between 12:30 and 12:45 a.m.
For more information, call the chamber at 532-4216.
