CARIBOU, Maine — Last week’s kick-off Thursdays on Sweden was a racy event, filled with race cars, bike races — even community pit-crews racing against the clock — sponsored by Spud Speedway.
Deviating from its namesake, Thursdays on Sweden was held at the recreation department; Director of the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce William Tasker explained the decision to do so was made mid-morning on Thursday, due to the rain.
“I think the crowd was great, considering we had to move it last minute, and I think that Spud Speedway portion of it brought in a different set of people, which I think is always good,” he said.
The racing theme during last week’s event was apparent even before walking inside — parked at the front of the building were racecars — and one old Honda that needed a couple coats of paint.
Representatives of Pink Aroostook were on hand asking attendees to help paint the car, with different hues of pink paint and available dashes of glitter.
Simply put, Bethany Zell of Pink Aroostook said that the organization will oversee the car’s pink painting so that it can be symbolically featured during Spud Speedway’s 50th anniversary celebration next month.
Working with Pink Aroostook and the Aroostook Autism groups, Spud Speedway owner Troy Haney explained that July’s celebratory events include a Pink and Blue Race to raise money for breast cancer and autism.
“All the money will stay here locally, and people can donate money to the racers per lap, how ever much they want,” Haney explained. At the end of the race, all funds donated will be totaled and split between the two organizations.
The pink car being thickly painted, however, won’t be crossing the finish line.
“We’re doing a fundraiser in addition to this race; people can take a sledgehammer to this car for a couple of bucks a swing in a symbolic “crush cancer” type thing,” she said.
How does Zell feel about having part of her work demolished with a sledgehammer?
“It’s going to be awesome,” she said with a big smile.
Additional information about the Spud Speedway 50th anniversary celebration (which opens this weekend) can be obtained by visiting their Facebook page or by calling 227-0897.
