Chamber Chat

By Lori Weston
    What a beautiful summer! The weather has been spectacular and there certainly hasn’t been a lack of things to do in our community.
    As a Chamber, we are fortunate to receive calls from folks traveling home for the summer and from those who have never been and want to spend time in our community. Once we describe the summer activities, there is always a response of surprise that there is so much to do!
    How many other communities can offer a town wide shopping experience that offers street fair fun until midnight, music in the park every week, a State Fair, a huge 4th of July parade, the best fireworks display in the County, a celebration of our potato farming community, arts and crafts fairs, an ever expanding community market, a Houlton High School Alumni reunion for one and all, Little League Tournaments that brought families from around the State to our town to enjoy the great game of baseball and more? Our community is exceptional, that’s for sure.
    Please take a moment and think about all of the things that you have done this summer. It’s an easy guess that at least one, if not all of the activities you enjoyed were the result of a very dedicated group of volunteers who have made it their mission to see that their particular event happens in grand fashion. It’s remarkable. Volunteerism happens here in a genuine and driven way. The words “thank you” need to be spoken often and loudly to all who give so much.
    As summer wanes, we are getting ready for the 51st Annual Potato Feast Days celebration happening August 20-22. The Doll and Wagon Wrangler Parade will happen on Friday evening along with the Houlton Recreation Department’s “Touch a Truck” event on Broadway Street. The Friends and Needles Quilt Show begins on Friday and runs until Sunday. The Quilt Show brings a crowd from all around the State and beyond. It is an absolute must see event. Saturday will don with the Community Market in Market Square, an Arts and Crafts show in Monument Park, the band Head Space will be playing for your listening pleasure from 1-4 in the Amphitheater, potato games and contests will be happening and all day in Community Park, the Houlton Fair will be hosting “All Cylinder Saturday”, with incredible shows throughout the day, culminating with the band Live Music in the evening. Sunday will be your last opportunity to see the fabulous Quilt Show and once again, the Chamber will sponsor a Road Rally event that is filled with twists and turns and crazy questions! Did we mention that Potato Feast Days is also a great time to catch some incredible deals from our local merchants?
    By attending any one of the many events happening, you are supporting efforts to keep our community growing and thriving and we all appreciate that! Please call the Chamber for more information at 532-4216.
    Lori Weston is the executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce