Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
LOTS OF FUN — Residents and visitors to Linneus on Saturday were able to enjoy a red, white and blue parade before joining in a potluck dinner. During the parade, Jamie Palmer, left, had Ian McEwen and Mason Schools on his ATV, while Joshua Palmer gave his mother, Robin, a ride.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
LINNEUS — The numbers may have been lower than last year for the Linneus Family Field Day, but the excitement and fun were still evident at Saturday’s celebration.
The day drew about 200 people, including about 25 volunteers. Last year, with the revival of the one-day celebration 340 people came out to the event. Linneus has a population of around 800 residents.
“We were pleased [with the turnout] considering the weather,” said Linneus Recreation Director Michael Lane. “It worked out well.”
The day is sponsored by the Linneus Recreation Department and its volunteers. A red, white and blue parade kicked off the day, as the fire engine driven by Larry Byron rolled down the street followed by children in their own kiddie cars or on ATVs and dirt bikes. Others were on bicycles or floats, while some walked with their pets or greeted those watching with candy. The classic cars caught the attention of those watching, as did the young ones on the fire engine waving their flags.
After the parade went up and back down the planned route, people began to gather at the Linneus ball field for children’s games and a bit of socializing, as the food was being prepared. Children enjoyed the bounce house and the dunking booth, along with the swings and slides. Or, they found a place to have their own fun like throwing a ball around or running and sliding through a pool of water on the grass.
Chefs Rob Brown and Andy Stoddard stood watch over the barbecues filled with chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs. Other volunteers took care of dishes that were brought in for the potluck, which included salads, rolls, beans and more.
After the meal, Linneus Town Manager Caroll Willette took his turn in the dunking booth, but found he didn’t get too wet except for those who released the seat from behind the booth — right Estelle? Just about the time of the children’s games, clouds moved in and it began to sprinkle.
“We got the slippery slide going, figuring everyone would be wet anyway,” said Lane. “We didn’t do a few of the games because we saw the weather moving in hard.”
But, the weather won, as participants did get rained on.
“We ended about an hour early,” said Lane.
The celebration was wrapped up between 2 and 2:30 p.m.
Lane said the event will be held next year, so mark your calendars to attend.
“It was clearly a success,” he said. “The whole celebration is to promote local business and the local community.”
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| YOUNGEST RESIDENT? — Grampie Ted Bither, right, pulled up in a golf cart with his granddaughter Clara Jo Bither born June 22, the daughter of Evan Bither and Katie Sloat, of Linneus. | THE COOKS — Working hard cooking the meat for Saturday’s dinner at the Linneus Family Field Day are, left, Rob Brown and Andy Stoddard of the Linneus Recreation Department committee. |
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| AMERICAN — Thea White waves the American Flag, as she rides atop a fire truck during Linneus Family Field Day’s parade held on Saturday. | RIDING IN THE PARADE — Trynt Porter waves a flag from his mini-Jeep as he makes his way down the parade route during Linneus Family Field Day on Saturday. |
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| SHOOTING THE BREEZE — Larry Byron, left, and Ronnie Smith stand and shoot the breeze during Saturday’s celebration in Linneus. | LIKES THE HAT — Kelley Irish likes the kid’s fireman helmet which was be given away by the Linneus Fire Department as part of Family Field Day on Saturday. |
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| SPIRIT — Jean-Luc Desrosiers sports the red, white and blue on his bicycle as he rode in the Linneus Family Fun Day parade. | NO LUCK — Mike Lane had no luck hitting the target to dunk Linneus Town Manager Carroll Willette in the cold water. |
