A brief, but intense storm brought pouring rain and quarter-sized hail to the Shiretown Saturday afternoon. The storm passed through quickly, lasting only about 30 minutes, but it brought a quick end to the craft fair in Monument Park. It also caused some vendors who had set up in downtown for Midnight Madness to pack it in earlier than anticipated.
Those vendors who stuck around, however, enjoyed a modest crowd as people poured back into Market Square for the popular street fair Saturday afternoon and evening. The crowd was not as large as previous years, but those that did come out were able to enjoy a variety of dining options, as well as music and entertainment.
Cameron Clark once again proved to be one of the highlights of Midnight Madness as he performed his impressive juggling and unicycle skills, combined with comedic banter with the audience.
In Houlton Community Park, organizers of the Houlton Agricultural Fair were pleased with this year’s turnout.
“We had great weather, except for that one freak hail storm,” said Paul Cleary, fair president. “People had positive attitudes and were really appreciative of all the new things we offered this year.”
Attendance at the fair was down slightly from previous years, according to Cleary. The decrease was likely attributable to a number of factors, including a price increase for admission, as well as weather that was too nice, sending many people to local lakes to escape the heat.
He estimated about 7,500 people paid admission to the fair over the four-day period, with another 1,000 volunteering to keep things running smoothly.
Cleary acknowledged there will always be individuals who are disappointed with certain elements of the fair, but he instead preferred to focus on the positives.
“Everyone I spoke to thought we had one of the best fireworks shows ever,” he said. “We also had one of our largest fields for the demolition derby with 57 cars. So there was a lot of good things happening.”
Results from the demolition derby, tuff truck challenge and ATV drag races were not available by presstime.
Winners from the July 4 parade, sponsored by the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce were: Best Non-Profit, The Houlton Band of Maliseets Children’s Marching Group; Most Patriotic, Gene Ross and the American Legion; Best Agricultural, Bob Bartlett and his collection of Massey Tractors; Best of Show, Sprague’s Masonry.
Results from children’s games at the fair were as follows:
2016
Friday, July 1
Bubblegum Blowing — Under 10, 1, Miles Lawrence; and 2, Sophie Eckstein; and 11 and up:, 1, Chloe Eckstein; and 2, Kassidy Parker.
10-11 year old Eel Racing — 1, Hunter Duttweiler; 2, Chase Boyd; and 3, Sophie Eckstein; 6-7 year olds, 1, Neve O’Donnell; 2, Presley Goodwin; and 3, Rylee Cunningham; and 8-9 years old, 1, Avery Lawrence; 2, Hunter Duttweiler; and 3, Amelia Callnan.
Hula Hoop — Under 10, 1, Hannah Kowalski; and 2, Neve O’Donnell; and Ages 10-16, 1, Lauren Robinson; and 2, Brooke Chase.
Egg Toss — 1, Mason Flenner and Rinde Hamlin; and 2, Gabby Gentle and Ariana Ardell.
Kiddie Tractor Pull — Girls: Amelia Callnan; boys: Mason Flenner.
Saturday, July 2
Oreo Cookie Stacking — 8 and under: 1, Josiah Freier; 2, Miles Lawrence; Ages 9-15, 1, Olivia Henderson; and 2, Morgan Martin.
Egg Toss — 1, Dale Freier and Logan Henning; and 2, Wyatt Lee and Hunter Sanford.
Soccer Kick — 1, Pruet Dionne; 2, Miles Lawrence; and 3, Orrin Dionne.
Sunday, July 3
Ice Cream Eating — under 10: Dustin Scott; Ages 10-16: co-winners Mark Freier and Michael Sanders.
Basketball — 1, Calli Sylvia; 2, Gabby Gentle; and 3, Gage Bartlett.
Softball Toss — 1, Walker Oliver; 2, Drew Duttweiler; and 3, Calli Sylvia.
Egg Toss — 1, Amelia Callnan and Cameron Callnan; 2, Elise DeMerchant and Orlando DeMerchant.
Frisbee Throw — 1, Cody Shaw; 2, Aaron Brooker; and 3, Amelia Callnan.
Monday, July 4
Toilet Seat Toss — 1, Jordan Cummings; 2, Cadence Binnie; and 3, William Gower.
Egg Toss — 1, Amelia Callnan and Cameron Callnan; 2, Olivia Henderson and Elena Ardell.
Burping — Malachi Cummings.
Salsa Chugging — Jonathan Allen.
Moxie Chugging — Harrison Gray.
Houlton Farms Dairy Lemonade Chugging — Heat 1, Johnny Scifers; Heat 2, Nick Castigliego.
