Danforth, Island Falls plan busy days of Summerfest activities

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    DANFORTH — Plans are underway for another full weekend of summer activities as the town of Danforth celebrates its Summerfest Friday-Sunday, July 29-31.
    According to event organizer April Doane, who is in her second year coordinating Summerfest, this year’s slate of events promises to offer something for everyone in the town.
    “We have all sorts of new stuff this year, including hula hoop, limbo and pineapple bowling contests,” Doane said. “We are really playing up the Hawaiian luau theme this year. We will also have Yogi’s Doughboys [from Springfield] coming up and there are a lot more booths and vendors planned this year.”
    Doane added the one thing lacking from the event is individuals to help put it all together.
    “There’s so much more we could be doing,” she said. “We have beautiful lakes where we could organize some kayak races. But all of that takes people willing to help.”
    The schedule of events is as follows:
Friday, July 29
    2 p.m. — Kids parade on Main Street. Children may enter bicycles, tricycles or wagons. There will be ribbons for first-, second- and third-place winners.
    4 p.m. — Volleyball tournament, held downtown. Pre-registration is required. Contact Doane at 448-2095 to sign up.
    6 p.m. — Miss and Mr. Summerfest Pageant at the Town Hall. The pageant is broken down into three age groups (ages 2-8, 9-12 and 13-18). Trophies, crowns and sashes for winners of each age group will be presented. The theme for the pageant is Hawaiian Luau. For registration form contact Doane at 448-2095. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $2 for individuals or $5 for a family. The pageants will be cancelled if there are not enough participants.
Saturday, July 30
    8 a.m. – Kick off Summerfest with children games for ages 2-12, near the Danforth Town Office.
    9 a.m.  — Various vendors will be lined up on Main Street.
    10 a.m.  — Summerfest Parade begins. Lineup is at the public boat landing, starting at 9:30 a.m. The theme for the parade is Hawaiian Luau.  Floats will be judged and given first-, second- and third-place ribbons. Pre-registration is required. Contact Gerald Allen at 448-2494.
    11 a.m.  — Pet Show held on Main Street. For more information, see Kristen Wittine.
    11 a.m.  — Children and adult activities located on Main Street will go on throughout the afternoon.
    Noon — Barbecue lunch at the Fire Department on Central Street.
    Noon — Soda Chugging and Pie Eating contests on Main Street.
    1 p.m. — Pineapple Bowling. Come try your hand at rolling coconuts at pineapple pins.
    2 p.m.  — Limbo Contest on Main Street.
    3 p.m. — Egg Toss and Water Balloon Toss on Main Street.
    4 p.m. — The popular  “Shop-n-Cart” race will be held on Main Street. There are two age groups — 5-13 and 14-and-older.
    5 p.m. — Luau Dance Contest on Main Street. Wear your Hawaiian outfits and show us how you dance.
    7 p.m. — Hula Hoop Contest.
    9 p.m. — Fireworks display at the East Grand Athletic Field. Donations will be accepted for next year’s display.
    10 p.m. — Street Dance held downtown, featuring Philip Farley.
Sunday, July 31
    11 a.m.-3 p.m. — Poker Run. Pre-Registration is required. The race starts at the Danforth Town office. Pre-registration is required and begins at 10 a.m. For forms, contact Doane at 448-2095.
    11 a.m. – Volleyball elimination games.
    6-8 p.m. — Lip Sync contest at the Danforth Town Hall. Pre-registration is required. The cost of admission is $2 per person or $5 per family.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    ISLAND FALLS — The celebration is so big in Island Falls this year, that it will take 10 days for all of the Summerfest activities to be held, according Ruth Frazier, the town’s recreation director.
    “We’re celebrating from July 29 to Aug. 7 with a theme of Western Fun Days,” Frazier said. “We’re looking for people to decorate or dress up in anything western.”
    Entries in the popular parade must be pre-registered to be considered by judges for a series of prizes.
    “In the past, we haven’t had too many people register in advance,” she said. “They can call me at 463-2263 by Aug. 4.”
    Frazier said interest in organizing the event is starting to wane.
    “Our committee has started to dwindle, so I am seeking volunteers to help with any of these events,” Frazier said.
    Among the new items planned for this year’s celebration are remote controlled car and truck races for all ages. The event will be held at the Island Falls municipal building parking lot. A “G-Force Laser Tag” event will also be held Aug. 3 inside the municipal gymnasium.
    Frazier said the fireworks show is slated for Friday, July 29 at VaJoWa Golf Course, but the pyrotechnics may not go off as planned.
    “We still need quite a bit of money to cover the costs,” Frazier said. “I’ve sent out a bunch of letters, but we are still quite short. We need $2,500 to cover the expenses and a lot of people are saying ‘no’ this year.”
    A fishing derby will also be held Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31 at various bodies of water.
    The following is a breakdown of activities planned for Summerfest.
Friday, July 29
    11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Katahdin Federal Credit Union’s “Customer Appreciation Day.”
    6 p.m. — Remote-controlled car/truck races. Bring your own remote controled vehicle and come race. Open for all ages. Sponsored by Island Falls Recreation/Summerfest committee.
    8:45p.m. — Fireworks (tentative) at the VaJoWa Golf Course/Craig’s Maine Course; sponsored by area businesses.
Saturday, July 30
    6-10a.m. — “All You Can Eat Breakfast” at the Island Falls Fish and Game Club; sponsored by the Island Falls Free Wheelers ATV Club. The cost is $6/person.
    9 a.m. –noon— Annual Bake/Tag Sale at Whittier Congregational Church, 15 Burleigh St.
    9 a.m. — Island Falls Canoe/Kayak Race at Pleasant Pond. Register at Birch Point 9 a.m.; race starts at 10 a.m.; the cost is $10/person. Proceeds will go to Dollars for Scholars. For more information, call 463-2515.
    1 p.m. — Barber Shoppers Performance at the Island Falls Municipal Building, sponsored by St. Agnes/St. Paul’s parishes and the rec. For tickets call 463-2625.
Sunday, July 31
    6 a.m.-2 p.m. — Fishing Derby continues at various lakes.
    9-11 a.m. — Scavenger Hunt. Register at the town office. The cost is $5 per person. For more information, call 551-4217.
    11a.m. — Children’s Parade, sponsored by Island Falls Rec. Summerfest group. The parade starts at Bishop’s Market and ends at the town office.
    3 p.m. — Little Miss and Mr. Pageant for ages up to 6 years old. The cost of admission is $2/person or $5/family.
Monday, Aug. 1
    10 a.m.-1 p.m.— Island Falls One Stop’s “Customer Appreciation Day.”
Tuesday, Aug. 2
    9 a.m. — Self garden tours. For more information, call Caroline at 267-0142.
    10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Bridge club card game at the Island Falls Municipal Building. All are welcome, bring bag lunch to eat around noon.
    6 p.m. — Pet Show in Loving Memory of Jarrica Rose Emery. All animals must be on a leash. Judges will award prizes. To register call Frazier at 463-2263 or show up 15 minutes before show time. Donations are also accepted and will go towards a scholarship in Emery’s memory to 2012 SACS graduates. The cost is $2/person or $5/family
Wednesday, Aug. 3
    11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Bishop’s Market “Customer Appreciation Day”
    1-5 p.m. — G-Force Laser Tag at the municipal building. The cost is $3/person a game or $10 for unlimited games. Come and enjoy the fun and bring enough people for a team. Sponsored by the Rec. For more information, visit www.g-forcelasertag.com
    6 p.m. —“Down Home Country Music Jam” at the Big Valley Sno Club. All musicians welcome. No charge for performers. Cost of admission is $3/person or $5/couple. For more information, call Clint at 532-2535.
    6:30p.m. — Island Falls Fire Department vs. Oakfield Fire Department Softball Game at Island Falls ballfield.
Thursday, Aug. 4
     7 p.m. — Graves Institute of Self-Defense open house at the municipal building. Join Sensei Walter Garnett and students to see what it’s all about! Free admission.
Friday, Aug. 5
    11 a.m.-noon   Katahdin Trust Company “Customer Appreciation Day.”
    5-7p.m. — Annual steak supper at the Island Falls Fish and Game Club. The cost is $13/adults or $6/kids 12 and under.
    8-9 p.m. — Outside kids and families rollerblade/dance. Sponsored by IF Rec Summerfest. Donations accepted.
Saturday, Aug. 6
    8:45a.m. — Half-mile walk for children under age 7 at the municipal building.
    9 a.m. — A 5K run, 4K walk at the municipal building. The entry fee $10/person. For more information,  call 415-1688. Following the race a pie auction to benefit the Agape Food Pantry and Greater Houlton Christian Academy. All are welcome.
    10 a.m.-2 p.m. — Fireman’s Muster. Area fire departments compete in four timed events involving the use of fire equipment and turnout gear at the municipal building.
    10 a.m. — Kiddie games and prizes will also be going on, sponsored by Island Falls Fire Department.
    10:30 a.m.-1p.m. — Chicken BBQ at the VFW. The cost is $8/plate.
    Noon — Powwow events starting with grand entry at VFW. Sale booths on grounds. Admission is $2/person, children under 12 are free but must be accompanied by a parent. All Veterans wearing service hats enter free. No drugs or alcohol allowed.
    6 p.m. — Island Falls High School Alumni Banquet at the municipal building. To RSVP, call Becky at 463-2372.
Sunday, Aug. 7
    10 a.m.-noon — Island Falls Fire Department Open House.
    10:30 a.m. — Petting Zoo at the end of the ball field.
    10:30 a.m. — BBQ at the municipal building. All proceeds benefit local playground.
    Noon — Powwow continues at VFW.
    1 p.m. — Parade. Starts at Porter’s Garage and ends at Willis Lane. For your float to be judged, you must register by Aug. 4 by calling 463-2263. After the parade, an auction will be held at the end of the ball field sponsored by Island Falls Fire Department.
    2 p.m. — Fashion Show and Entertainment on the Historical Society Grounds.
    3-5 p.m. — “Sing it Out Entertainment” with Trish and Beth at the municipal building.