HOULTON, Maine — Fans of freshly grilled red hot dogs were in for a treat Friday, Aug. 30, as officials from Houlton Water Company held its annual Customer Appreciation Day.
Company employees were busy setting up in Market Square Friday morning and had people lined up waiting for the tasty, free lunch as early as 10 a.m.
-
- Will Hogan, waste treatment plant manager for Houlton Water Company, carries a tray of freshly grilled hot dogs Friday, Aug. 30, as part of the company’s annual “Customer Appreciation Day.” HWC has held its free lunch event for the past 20 years. (Joseph Cyr)
Greg Sherman, general manager for the Houlton Water Company, said the annual event never seems to disappoint as people always turn out for the meal, and to chat with company officials.
-
- Benjamin, left, and Avery Dionne of Houlton enjoy their hot dog lunch Friday, Aug. 30, in downtown Houlton. (Joseph Cyr)
Isaiah Dionne of Houlton enjoys his drink Friday at the annual Houlton Water Company free hot dog luncheon. (Joseph Cyr)
HWC began offering the free lunch in 1999, according to Sherman. “It was during the time when the state was going through deregulation of electricity and we wanted to educate our customers on the changes,” he said. “John Clark (then general manager) thought it would be a good idea to do a free lunch and to sit down and talk with the people. We have continued it every year since.”
Depending on the weather, the company can go through anywhere from 1,200-1,500 hot dogs on the day.
“It’s a lot of hot dogs,” Sherman said. “But people love it. We have some start calling us in July and August asking when we are having our lunch.”
