Blossom Festival offers variety
69th annual event begins July 9
FORT FAIRFIELD — Building upon the momentum generated in 2015, the 69th annual installment of the Maine Potato Blossom Festival boasts an expanded lineup of free performances and family-friendly events.
In addition to live performances every night in the Community Bandstand, the festival will feature four nights of musical performances on the Festival Main Stage featuring many well-known local and regional acts.
“We are working hard to create an event which not only entertains the thousands of people who attend annually from throughout Aroostook County and New Brunswick, but to create a full schedule of events and activities which entices people to come explore what Fort Fairfield and The County are all about,” stated Tim Goff, festival director.
“We see the festival as a great opportunity to showcase our region and to attract more visitors to our region, providing a greater economic impact for our local businesses,” he said.
Headlining the four nights of performances on the Festival Main Stage are all Maine-based bands with large, passionate fan bases and diverse sounds. The performances start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 14th with a pair of local rockers from the popular band Common Crossing, Brian and Doug, stripping their sound down for an acoustic set of classics.
Following at 8 p.m. are a trio of musicians from the St. John Valley, French Toast, who always get the crowd going with the rocking musical mix that spans the decades.
On Friday, July 15, at 6 p.m., The Half Moon Jug Band make their much anticipated debut in the County. The group is known for unique originals that draw upon stories from Maine, including favorites about a rampaging pig and the infamous North Woods Hermit, as well as for their interpretation of a variety of folksy classics.
At 8 p.m., Hancock County’s country sensation, Chris Ross and the North, take their turn on the Festival Main Stage with their smooth sound and emotional songs. It also is an opportunity for drummer Ryan Curless to return to his famous grandfather’s roots. Curless is the grandson of country legend, Dick Curless, a Fort Fairfield native well-known for his distinctive eye patch and trucking country classics such as the hit “A Tombstone Every Mile,” written about a lonely drive through the northern Maine woods.
Saturday, July 16 will feature a pair of hard-working performers. At 6 p.m., Travis Cyr will showcase his unique sound and mix of American folk and roots music. At 8 p.m., the Jason Spooner Band, who have shared the stage with legends like B.B. King, Ray LaMontagne and Blues Traveler, will share their powerful performance and songwriting.
Capping the nine-day celebration will be Unlucky Joe, whose groove-metal sound has been entertaining audiences for more than a decade. That performance will be followed by a fireworks finale over the Aroostook River directly behind the Festival Main Stage. There will be a beer garden and multiple food vendors available during all four nights of music.
The Festival will also host one of the largest parades in northern New England, an inflatable adventure park, bike rodeo, movie under the stars, car show, five Maine Potato Queen Pageants, numerous athletic competitions, agricultural offerings including a potato picking competition, mashed potato wrestling and an antique tractor display.
New this year will be the first-ever international Tater Tot-eating competition. This new competition will crown champions in three categories, men, women and youth, who will compete to eat two pounds of Tater Tots the fastest.
For a full schedule of the more than 100 events planned during the Festival visit www.PotatoBlossom.org. For more information, contact Goff at 472-3802 or email tgoff@fortfairfield.org.
