A change is in store for the 57th annual Houlton Potato Feast Days, which return to the Shiretown this Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the activities begin in Monument Park, but on Saturday, the events shift to Community Park to provide a larger area for more activities to be held, according to Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce.
Friday’s events kick off with the Doll and Wagon Wrangler children’s parade, starting at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Chamber office on Main Street and continuing through Market Square. Youngsters are encouraged to dress up wagons and strollers.
“We will also be having our lobster feast in Monument Park and this year there will also be a Baked Potato Bar, sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank,” Torres said.
The lobster feast, which runs from 4-7:30 p.m., costs $23 for one lobster or $30 for two and includes a baked potato stuffed with bacon, sour cream, cheese, chives and butter, as well as Houlton Farms lemonade. Baked potatoes may also be purchased separately for $5.
For those less adventurous souls there will be hot dogs available, Torres said.
The RFD Gang takes the stage at the Houlton Amphitheatre from 6-8 p.m. playing classic country music.
As part of this summer’s Potato Feast Celebration, the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and the Houlton Recreation Department are once again teaming up for a “Touch A Truck” event on Broadway for Houlton area children.
The event will be held on Friday, Aug. 19, from 4-6 p.m. This free event features many vehicles that children see everyday such as law enforcement, construction, fire, postal, school buses just to mention a few. In addition, Hogan Tire will bring two “monster trucks” to this event.
Anyone wanting to display a vehicle may call the Houlton Recreation Department at 532-1310.
On Saturday, the events shift to Community Park, where the festival partners with Hogan Tire as part of that company’s 60th anniversary. The craft fair will also be moved to Community Park for just this year, according to Torres, so that the crowds are not split between two different venues.
A car show will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and the popular craft fair will be held at the same time.
As part of Hogan Tire’s celebration, a free lunch will be provided to the community; a Monster Truck Crush show takes center stage at 2:30 p.m. and a children’s candy drop will be held at 3 p.m.
In addition, the Friends and Needles Quilt Guild will hold its annual quilt show at the Houlton Higher Education Center Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Saturday’s event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Church of the Good Shepherd will also hold its popular pie and ice cream sale on Saturday and a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers walk takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday starting at the Gentle Memorial Building.
Also on Saturday, the Community Market will be set up in Market Square. For more information, call the Chamber at 532-4216.
