By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Catholic Charities of Maine has always received a tremendous amount of community support, but helping the local food pantry took on a whole new level of fun on Aug. 20, when country stars Big and Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy took the stage at Spud Speedway for Feed the County Summerfest.
Aroostook Republican photo by Natalie Bazinet
Big and Rich strummed it out down low during the Aroostook County portion of the their Xtreme Muzik Tour with Gretchen Wilson, who is shown in back shaking a tambourine at the stage’s bar.
Approximately 4,600 turned out for the show and while ticket sales were lower than event organizers had hoped for, the fundraiser still means plenty of money for Catholic Charities in Caribou to assist with their mission of stocking food pantries in northern Maine.
“This event raised awareness about Feed the County, we know that we’ve raised some money for the cause, and people in The County got to have a good time and see a show like no other right here in Caribou,” said Spud Speedway owner Troy Haney. An exact amount of how much money was raised for Catholic Charities was unavailable at presstime, but Program Director of Catholic Charities in Caribou Dixie Shaw didn’t need an exact figure to be pleased with the event’s success.
“I think The County has always supported us and this is a great chance for them to get something back,” Shaw said. “Not only are [concert-goers] supporting their neighbors who have less than they do, they’re having an opportunity to see some great bands and have a great time right here in Aroostook County.”
“I couldn’t be happier,” she added.
Aroostook Republican photo by Natalie Bazinet
In part of being called on stage to have his military service recognized, Sgt. Ryan Merritt of Littleton was able to hang out at the stage’s bar with Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy while Big and Rich proceeded with the concert.
Talented musicians put on a show so good, it was borderline country-converting — or at least it was for one Caribou man.
Dave Faye said that he’s never been into country music and traditionally prefers rock, but after seeing the talents showcased through Feed the County Summerfest, “I’m thinking about becoming a country music fan,” he said, adding that event planners should be commended for their efforts.
Aside from major headliners, concert goers were able to enjoy performances from Neon Highway, Kelly Parker Band and Common Crossing.
Through efforts of organizers like Shaw, Haney and John Swanberg of Aroostook Savings and Loan, the venue drew country fans from all over Maine and New Brunswick and license plates from states spanning the East Coast speckled the parking lot.
Fifteen-year-old Paige Maker from Newport drove over three hours with country-loving family and friends to see the event; Maker was most excited to see Gretchen Wilson perform and it was her first trip up to The County.
“It’s a lot different than Newport!” she said of the region.
Whether grasping onto the crowd-control gate at center stage, enjoying a beverage in the beer tent or gazing at the unfolding show from the bleachers, everyone seemed to be dancing, singing, clapping or tapping their toes along to the music of Gretchen Wilson, Big and Rich and of course, the rhythmic rapping of Cowboy Troy.
Stationary galloping is also included in that list of musically induced movements, but only during segments of Big and Rich’s performance of “Save a Horse, (Ride a Cowboy)” during which the bleachers literally bounced as female fans pantomimed the lyrics.
But the crowd went wild when, as the country stars have done along their Xtreme Muzik tour, they dedicated a portion of their show to honoring local veterans.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
A crowd over 4,500 strong positioned themselves around the stage at Spud Speedway Aug. 20 during Feed the County Summerfest as Neon Highway played the audience into the evening.
National Guard Sgt. Ryan Merritt was even invited on stage for a song and a drink (of soda) while his fellow guardsmen stood in front of the stage, saluting a recently raised flag.
An Iraq veteran, Merritt got to sit at the stage’s bar with Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson while Big and Rich sang “8th of November,” a song that “is probably the most important song we ever wrote,” Big Kenny said, dedicating the song to veterans in the audience.
Merritt didn’t know he’d be honored by the country celebrities until a few hours before the performance. While he mentioned that he was a bit apprehensive about being on stage in front of all those people, “it was awesome,” Merritt said. “Very memorable.”
Assistant Program Director for Catholic Charities of Caribou Debbie Pelkey said she only heard good things from the crowd.
“Everything’s been positive, everyone thinks we had a good turnout and they’re all glad to be here and glad to support the cause,” Pelkey said.
The few murmurs of discontent that were heard were based around view obstructions, caused by fans eager for stage-front real estate standing in the way of others who’d arranged their lawn chairs earlier in the day, and comments that more concessions were needed. One woman said she stood in line for nearly an hour and a half.
But complaints were few and far between, and the event went pretty smoothly as Haney expected.
“I am glad to see that it seems that everybody’s having a fantastic time,” he said, mentioning that the heightened level of energy exuded by the audience was a surprise to him.
Shaw, known for her own level of positive energy, enthusiastically thanked everyone in attendance.
“I want to say a big thank you to all of you for coming here tonight; we’re helping to feed a lot of people in Aroostook County,” she said.
Aroostook Republican photo by Natalie Bazinet
While over 4,500 tickets were sold for the Feed the County Summerfest, Spud Speedway employee Lisa Hewitt was doing her part to feed the concert-goers on Aug. 20.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Gretchen Wilson leaned back to hit a high note as she sang “Here for the Party” during Feed the County Summerfest on Aug. 20.
Aroostook Republican photo by Natalie Bazinet
Big Kenny of Big and Rich puts his hand over his heart as the flag was raised and the electrifying sounds of the National Anthem coursed through the speakers during Feed the County Summerfest on August. 20.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Sgt. Andrea Mellits of the National Guard stoically saluted at the foot of the stage with Pvt. Ben Boutilier as the flag was raised during a Big and Rich portion of the concert.
At left, John Swanberg of Aroostook Savings and Loan got a big reaction from the crowd as he told them that the financial institute wanted to celebrate its 75th anniversary in a big way, so they went out and got Big and Rich to perform for The County. Shown at right is Scott Hanington of Hanington Lumber.
Proudly wearing her “Hick Chick” T-shirt to Feed the County Summerfest, Candie Berube from Presque Isle cheered for Neon Highway along with Tim Faulkner of Mars Hill, Joan Bouchard of Milford and Tracy Morin of Madawaska.
The crowd had an energetic response to Neon Highway, who opened for the headliners; at left Rik Reese, and Remi Ross keep the crowd pumped up as dusk envelopes the Caribou grounds during Feed the County Summerfest.
Aroostook Republican photos by Natalie Bazinet
All sorts of fans fiddled with their cameras and cell phones as Gretchen Wilson took the stage, but not Reanna Burtt of Houlton — she was “here for the party” as Wilson sang.
Everyone did their part to help their neighbors just by attending Feed the County Summerfest on Aug. 20; Donna Madore of Farmingdale, at left, and Linda Shaw of Presque Isle took their spirit of charity a step farther and sold 50/50 raffle tickets to raise funds for Catholic Charities.
Making their center stage debut at Feed the County Summerfest were the “Dixie Chicks” — Dixie Shaw, program manager for Catholic Charities of Maine in Caribou, Kelly Landeen of WAGM-TV and Vicki Keaton of Aroostook Savings and Loan. Dixie had pages of thank you’s in hand to be certain that none of the individuals who dedicated their time and resources creating Summerfest went unnamed.
