Mini Carnival entertains crowds at Houlton Wesleyan Church

Pastor Matt Blackford of the Houlton Wesleyan Church grills up some hot dogs to help feed the crowd Saturday at the Adopt-a-Block of Aroostook's annual Mini Carnival event held at the church. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — Free food, clothing and games for the young, and young at heart, were up for grabs Saturday at the Houlton Wesleyan Church on Kelleran Street as part of the annual Adopt-a-Block of Aroostook’s Mini Carnival.

Jared Drake of Houlton blows bubbles Saturday at the Houlton Wesleyan Church as part of the Adopt-a-Block of Aroostook’s annual Mini Carnival event. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

Holly McAfee, a volunteer with Adopt-a-Block, said the event was designed as a way to give a little something back to the community each spring. Clothing stations were set up inside the church, with families able to fill a bag with free items.

“We have been doing this event for about six years now,” McAfee said. “It’s our way to reach out to the community and have some fun with the kids.”

Brenda Robertson and Faith Thompson had one of the busier stations as the two were hard at work cooking free fried dough. Her husband, Pastor Wayne Robertson of the Houlton Wesleyan Church, was also on hand to make sure the dough boys were properly covered in powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Assistant Pastor Matt Blackford was also busy grilling up free hot dogs.

Inside the youth center, children were able to get their faces painted, blow bubbles, draw with chalk and play games.