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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox From left, Caribou firefighter Danny Raymond, Caribou Fire Department Chief Scott Susi and Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan were serving up grilled burgers and hot dogs during the first “Thursdays on Sweden” celebration held in downtown Caribou on June 27. For more photos from the event, turn to page 8. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Those who have lived in Caribou for many years may remember a more vibrant Sweden Street, lined with stores and bustling with activity. Over time, thanks to a decline in population, that once active area of town has seen businesses come and go, slowing the pace of the heart of Caribou down considerably.
On Thursday evening a new event called Thursdays on Sweden, reminiscent of the once popular Midnight Madness events and arts and crafts fairs that used to be held in that area, breathed some life back into the block.
Thursdays on Sweden is a collaborative effort between the city of Caribou and the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce. The June 27 event’s theme was USA Day and featured the band Common Crossing, which played from 6 to 9 p.m., food and merchandise vendors, a bouncy house for children to play on and a licensed cafe from Napoli’s restaurant for those who wanted a bite to eat and perhaps an adult beverage.
The dark clouds that loomed overhead all day long managed to hold their water, but the temperature barely reached 60 degrees, and as the sun lowered, so did the mercury in the thermometer. However, this is northern Maine, after all, and the chill in the air didn’t deter those who were curious from throwing on a coat and heading downtown for the event.
According to Caribou Town Manager Austin Bleess, the crowd was estimated to be around 500 to 700, a huge success for the first of seven similar events to be held over the summer.
“It was great!” Bleess boasted. “It was a good crowd, but not too crazy.”
Bleess is credited for coming up with the idea for Thursdays on Sweden, something the town manager had seen done in other areas of the country.
“We have a great location on Sweden Street,” Bleess said, “and enough staff to work on it. We thought, ‘Why not here?’”
Police Chief Michael Gahagan, who was at the event barbecuing burgers and hot dogs with members of the Caribou Fire Department, was also pleased with the turnout.
“What a positive thing for our community,” Gahagan said, adding that they had sold out of hamburgers and were down to just a few hot dogs left.
Caribou Mayor Gary Aiken agreed with Gahagan.
“It was a great night for everybody,” Aiken commented. “It was a good crowd.”
Bleess was pleased with the enthusiasm of the participants.
“There’s a lot of excitement in Caribou right now,” Bleess confirmed. “A lot of people want to see change, and we are excited to help provide it.”
Bleess advised that the next Thursdays on Sweden event scheduled for July 11 will be basically the same as the first, only the layout will change a bit to get the vendors set up closer together and the port-a-potty will be easier to find.
“And hopefully it will be warmer,” Bleess laughed.
The July 11 Thursdays on Sweden will see more food vendors, including the addition of the Veterans’ Memorial Park Association selling teriyaki chicken to raise funds for their organization, and vendors in general.
A dunking booth containing a member of the Caribou Police or Fire Department for the submersing will be set up, the band Sound Stage featuring Keith Ouellette will perform, and cluster balloonist Jonathan R. Trappe will be there with the vessel he plans to launch from Caribou on his journey over the Atlantic Ocean. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. rain or shine.
