HOULTON, Maine — Can you feel it? That chill in the morning air? It is a sure sign that fall is right around the corner. And with the coming of fall, so too comes the return of the town’s annual Potato Feast Days celebration.
To celebrate the upcoming potato harvest, the town will hold the 60th annual Potato Feast Days Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24, with a number of events planned throughout the weekend. Broadway will be closed to automobile traffic so people can mill freely about.
The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Friday with Michael’s Juggling and Variety Show, sponsored by Houlton Parks and Recreation Department.
The Chamber of Commerce Lobster Feast in Monument Park also starts at 4:30 p.m. The meal consists of Maine lobster, new potatoes and corn on the cob, with Houlton Farms Dairy butter to drench everything in and topped off with a homemade cookie. A second grilled option will be available. Lobsters were donated this year by J. McLaughlin Construction and Donahue’s Maintenance and Masonry.
“Once again we are trying to keep the price low on our lobster feast,” said Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “The price will be $12 for a complete meal and a second lobster can be added for $7 more. Last year, we completely sold out so come early.”
The chamber sold about 300 lobsters last year, and had to turn people away when they ran out.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. at the chamber office, the children’s Doll and Wagon Wranglers Parade will wind its way down Main Street and through Market Square. When the parade ends in front of Cary Library, the children will be treated to juice and cookies. The youngsters will then be able to participate in a mini-tractor pull event.
At 6 p.m. a candy drop for children will be held with a member of the Houlton Fire Department scaling the ladder truck to drop candy. At 6:30 p.m., popular local band Rock Renaissance takes to the Houlton Amphitheatre to play a variety of favorite tunes until about 8:30 p.m.
Saturday will feature the popular craft fair in Monument Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the ongoing Community Market in Market Square from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Community Market will also feature several potato-themed children’s games. The Church of the Good Shepherd’s annual Pie and Ice Cream Sale and Yard Sale at Watson Hall starts at 9 a.m.
In addition, a chicken barbecue sponsored by the Houlton Fire Department will be held in Monument Park Saturday from 4:30-6 p.m. The cost will be by donation, with proceeds helping the department purchase much-needed equipment updates.
On both days, the Friends and Needles Quilt Show takes place at the Houlton Higher Education Center. The cost of admission is $5.
For information, call 532-4216 or visit the chamber on Facebook.
