Rain fails to dampen spirits of ‘Mania’ participants
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
MMMM … MMMM … GOOD! — Kierston Donovan gives her son, Jack, a taste of her whoopee pie during last Thursday’s Main Street Mania.
The event kicked off the annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest and featured food, music, demonstrations, magic and more.
PRESQUE ISLE — Downtown merchants helped kick off the eighth annual Crown of Maine Balloon Fest Thursday night with Main Street Mania. Main Street was closed from 4-10 p.m. from Blake Street to Academy Street giving attendees room to roam, munch and mingle.
The theme for Main Street Mania was “A World of Travel Destinations.” Participating merchants chose a destination which was the focus of its atmosphere and products it offered for sale, both on the street and within the store.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
LOBSTER ROLLS from Governor’s Restaurant were a popular food item for sale last week during Main Street Mania. Here, Tony Sullivan, owner of Governor’s, fills a lobster roll for Richie Byrnes as his mother, Janet Mack, looks on.
Café Sorpreso, for example, became Hawaii for the evening. The restaurant featured a complete menu of Hawaiian fare within the restaurant and sold appetizers from Hawaii on the sidewalk, while the Northeastland Hotel was transformed into a New Orleans location with food and sounds from the legendary French Quarter.
Main Street Mania was organized and hosted for the second year by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954.
“I think that the involvement of the merchants and their appreciation of the event continues to grow,” said Alan Harding, event chair. “That’s one of the reasons why the Elks undertake the lead in organizing and promoting the event — to promote the revitalization of downtown Presque Isle and Main Street. I think the merchants are appreciative of the event and will continue to participate.
“The weather was unfortunate, but any time you plan an outdoor event, those things can happen,” he said. “The people who were there enjoyed the attractions that were set for them. The humvee and horse-drawn wagon rides — provided by the Maine Military Authority and Matt Gregg, respectively — never stopped running. There were passengers waiting continuously even through the rain. The bouncy house also received continuous usage.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell JohnsonJULIA BARTLEY, of Presque Isle, dressed the part as she helped magician Roland Perry with a trick during last Thursday’s Main Street Mania, which was organized and hosted for the second year by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954.
Roland Perry provided magic throughout the night, and the local band Barbed Wire performed for more than two hours.
In addition, the Presque Isle Fire Department had its ladder truck on display during last week’s neighborhood block party on Main Street, as well as the fire safety trailer, which is a 35-foot mobile classroom in which firefighters are able to offer real world fire prevention training in a safe and controlled environment.
“Everyone who participated was making a contribution of their time, abilities and assets,” said Harding. “People asked about a rain date, but you can’t book a band for alternate nights, and you can’t plan to close the street on alternate nights. The merchants are really only available certain nights as they are committed to other things, so we did the best we could. By 7:15 p.m. it stopped raining altogether and was quite warm and mild. It was still wet, but people made the most of it. Those who were there really enjoyed it.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
HUMVEE RIDES were a popular attraction at this year’s Main Street Mania in downtown Presque Isle. Preparing for a ride are, from left: stepsisters Kassandra Rouse and Samantha Ofria, and Colby Ouellette, all of Presque Isle.
Tony Sullivan, owner of Governor’s Restaurant, said while the weather was uncooperative, it was nice to mingle with those who attended.
“It was fun and we enjoyed it. Unfortunately the crowd wasn’t there because of the bad weather, but I think next year will be great,” he said. “I was hoping they were going to build on the momentum of last year, and they would have — I think — had we had some decent weather. That put a real damper on things, but overall I think it was a success.
“Main Street Mania is an opportunity for us to showcase our products and do some different things and to get out and interact with the people that are there,” said Sullivan, “and to try to contribute to the overall success of it and to hopefully make it grow for future years. I think the event has a lot of potential over the years as we add things to it. This was only the second year; I’m excited about it for future years.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
THE PRESQUE ISLE FIRE DEPARTMENT had its ladder truck on display during last week’s neighborhood block party on Main Street, as well as the fire safety trailer, which is a 35-foot mobile classroom in which firefighters are able to offer real world fire prevention training in a safe and controlled environment.
Keeping with the theme of “A World of Travel Destinations,” Governor’s Restaurant featured Lebanese cuisine.
“We sold stuffed grape leaves and kibbi [a dish of minced meat with bulgur and spices]. Everybody that tried it really liked it. Those were old family recipes that were passed down through my grandparents and my father; I have some Lebanese descent,” said Sullivan. “I gave some out as samples so I could get people to try them.”
For those a little less adventurous, Governor’s also sold lobster rolls.
Harding wishes to thank those merchants who gave of their time, as well as those who braved the elements to take part in Main Street Mania.
“There were a slew of Elk members who were hard at work in pulling this off, and I want to thank them very much, as well as the merchants and volunteers who participated,” he said. “For the Elks, this was a charitable endeavor with proceeds to benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program so we’re happy to help that organization out in this way.”
