Stacyville Strawberry Festival takes center stage this weekend

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    STACYVILLE — If strawberries are your thing, then Stacyville is the place to be July 22-24 for the 11th annual Stacyville Strawberry Festival. Sponsored by the Sherman Area Memorial VFW Post 2299 and its Ladies Auxiliary, all events will be held at the VFW Post in Stacyville, with the exception of Saturday night’s ham and bean supper and variety show, which will be held at the Sherman Rec Department in Sherman.
    “It is hoped many people will come and enjoy our friendly, small-town event, while at the same time supporting your local veterans and troops,” said Colleen Guiggey, one of the event’s organizers. “We have ordered good weather for the entire weekend and expect it to be a lot of fun for everyone attending.”
     Among the new items planned for the Festival is an antique car display on Saturday at the Stacyville Town Office.
    The complete schedule of events is as follows:
Friday, July 22
    9 a.m.-3 p.m. — Flea market, artists, crafters and vendors can be found at the tennis courts next to the VFW Hall. Call 365-4263 or 365-4832 for free table space. Vendors must provide their own table.
    3 p.m. —Judging for “Kids Cupcake Contest,” for children under 16; and “Adults Cupcake Contest,” for those 16-and-older. Cupcakes must be registered at VFW in Stacyville no later than 2 p.m. on Friday July 22, to be judged at 3 p.m. For the contest, cupcakes may be any flavor and will be judged on presentation and decoration. There must be at least 12 cupcakes per person and they become property of VFW following judging. Prizes for the children’s contest are $10 for first place and free ice cream for second and third place. Prizes for the adult contest are $25 for first place and admission to the chicken barbecue for second place.
    5 p.m. — Pig roast, with corn on the cob and baked potatoes. The cost is donation only.
    6-8 p.m. — Children’s Dance for grades 3-5 on the tennis courts. The cost is $5. In the event of rain, the dance will be cancelled.
    6 p.m. — Raffle Drawing.
    6 p.m. — Cribbage tournament inside the VFW Hall for adults only. The cost to enter is $5.
Saturday July 23
    9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Flea market, artists, crafters and vendors can be found at the tennis courts next to the VFW Hall.
    10 a.m. — Cruise-In antique auto display at the Stacyville Town Office parking lot. For more information, call Tom McAvoy at 365-4613 or 365-4291.
    11 a.m. — Parade. All are welcome. The theme is “Patriotism.”
    11 a.m. — Children’s games will be held by Snagaduc Games with Dana Foster from Millinocket.
    11 a.m.-3 p.m. — The Hot Dog Bus will be open for business.
    Noon — Auction with auctioneer Jim Pratt. To donate items call 365-4832, 365-4263 or 365-4259.
    3 p.m. —Children’s pie eating (timed) constest.
    5 p.m. — Ham and bean supper with shortcake at Sherman Recreation Department. The cost is by donations only.
    6 p.m. — Raffle Drawing at Sherman Rec. Department.
    6 p.m. — Variety Show at Sherman Rec. Department. Donations will be accepted.
Sunday, July 24
    8-9 a.m. — Breakfast with sausage, pancakes, coffee and juice. The cost is $4.
    9 a.m. — Horseshoe tournament, with a pick of the draw format. Cash prizes available. The cost to participate is $10.
     9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Flea market, artists, crafters and vendors can be found at the tennis courts next to the VFW Hall.
    11 a.m.-3 p.m. — Hot Dog Bus opens.
    3 p.m. — Children’s Color Contest judging. Pictures can be submitted at any time throughout the weekend.
    3:30 p.m. — Photography Contest judging. Contest is open to children and adults. Photos must be enlarged to size 5×7 or 8×10 in black and white or color. Pictures may be registered at the VFW in Stacyville anytime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Friday, July 22. Photos will be judged by People’s Choice all weekend by secret ballot. Photos must be free standing in a frame or on a photo display stand. Name, address and age must appear on the back of photos for age groups: Under 16 or 16-and-older. Amateur photographers only. Photo contest prizes are $10 for first place prize in each category.
    3:30 p.m. — Adult Pie Eating contest (timed) for ages 16-and-older.
    5 p.m. — Chicken Barbecue and dessert. The cost is by donation.
    6 p.m. — Raffle drawings.