More scenes from Houlton’s Fourth of July, fair celebrations

    HOULTON, Maine — This year’s Fourth of July celebrations were kicked off in a big way by the annual parade downtown as roughly 15,000 people lined the streets, according to Leigh Cummings, parade chairman of the Fair Association.
    “The numbers were higher than last year, and the quality of the parade was also up,” said Cummings.
The fair association was very pleased with the help from local churches in cleaning up the streets following the parade. Members of the churches walked at the rear of the parade, cleaning up the streets, collecting garbage from spectators, and acting as pooper-scoopers for the animals who walked in the parade.
“It was really outstanding … that was the cleanest I have ever seen the town after the Fourth of July parade,” exclaimed Cummings.
The clean attitude was contagious, as spectators followed suit, helping to clean the streets, after seeing the church members putting forth the effort.
The Agricultural Fair was also a big hit over the weekend, drawing 13,600 people through the gates, according to Paul Cleary, president of the Fair Committee.
Cleary praised all aspects of this years fair, from the entertainment of Kachunga and Circus Sam, to the smooth playing of Rock Renaissance and Nothing Fancy. Cleary also insisted that the School Bus Derby would be something on the agenda for next year’s fair.
“Overall it was an excellent fair and we’re already starting to plan for next year’s fair with new events and more rides and an even bigger fireworks show,” said Cleary.
Cleary also pointed out that a big part of the success of the fair comes from cooperation of Houlton community members and merchants, as well as volunteers from all around southern Aroostook.