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MADNESS — The streets of downtown Houlton always fill up for Midnight Madness.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The big hair, neon colors and ripped jeans that were all the rage in the 1980s could be making a return, as this year’s annual Midnight Madness celebration, set for Friday, July 3, will feature the theme of “Totally Awesome 80s.”
Selecting themes has become the norm for organizers of Midnight Madness. Last year, the group selected “patriotism” as its theme, while previous choices have included “Wild West,” “the 1960s,” and “Hawaiian Luau.”
“We try to do a theme because a lot of the merchants downtown want to decorate their windows to match the theme,” said Jane Torres, executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “We have already seen a number of windows popping up.”
Several windows downtown are now sporting “Pac-Man,” “Rubik Cubes” and other memorable items from the 1980s. Torres said it is her hopes that more will embrace the decorating concept as the event draws closer.
Midnight Madness typically draws thousands of people to downtown Houlton. Vendors begin setting up around noon on the day of July 3. The Chamber will start selling its always-popular strawberry shortcakes at noon and continue throughout the day.
Midnight Madness has evolved over the years. Originally a sale-only event with bargains increasing in value as the evening wore on, today’s festivity has evolved into a street fair celebration with sidewalk vendors, music, displays and food booths.
Foods of all types, including a kettle corn vendor and a lobster roll seller, will offer tasty treats throughout the afternoon and evening.
The atmosphere of the event is always one of homecoming, capturing the excitement of the Fourth of July holiday and reunions. Not limited to just downtown merchants, many stores, including those on the North Road, will be open late, offering discounts and sales that increase in value as the night wears on.
Market Square will again be partially closed to vehicle traffic for the evening, allowing bargain hunters the opportunity to roam freely through the streets. Traffic will still be allowed to flow along the Key Bank/Temple Theatre side of Market Square, while the opposite side will be closed. Main Street, from Court Street to the Chamber of Commerce Building will be closed to traffic. 
The band “Monarch,” which is based in Houlton, will perform from 3-5 p.m. The group will welcome guest vocalist Keagan Fitzpatrick from 3-3:30 p.m.
Disc Jockey Tim “The Tuneman” Humphrey will play tracks from the 1980s and have a plethora of children’s games from 5-8 p.m.
The town of Houlton and representatives from the Maine National Guard will join with the Houlton Higher Education Center to host a public signing of a Community Covenant on Friday, July 3, at 6:30 p.m. in Monument Park. Representatives from the Maine National Guard and a color guard will also be on-hand as well.
Following the signing, McGill’s Community Band takes center stage at 7 p.m. with a performance at the Monument Park Amphitheatre.
The L.P. Miracle Mile Run starts at 6 p.m., with a finish line at the Court and Main streets intersection.
The group “Gunther Brown” of Portland will perform downtown starting at 8 p.m.
Based on the success and positive comments received on a yearly basis, an evening of fireworks at the Riverfront Park will once again be held near the Meduxnekeag River/Gateway Crossing Bridge. This year’s show starts a bit later, with the first fireworks going off at about 9:30 p.m.
