ISLAND FALLS, Maine — Traditionally, Island Falls has one of the more elaborate festivals to celebrate the summer season.
It has been a far from traditional year for all communities in the state, with most summer celebrations either modified or canceled due to COVID-19, but that did not stop Island Falls from putting on a number of events for the public on Saturday.
Candy Foster was one of many riders to compete in the Island Falls’ Antique Tractor Pulls Saturday, Aug. 1 at K and T Equipment. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Spectators, many of whom were wearing facemasks and observing social distancing etiquette, gathered at the K and T Environmental Equipment store on the Houlton Road early Saturday morning for antique tractor pulls.
The Island Falls Historical Society hosted its “Aprons on the Line” fundraiser at the Tingley House. The event proved to be a tremendous financial success for the society as 57 of the 60 available aprons were sold.
“We had a great response to our event, with folks from Houlton, visitors from southern Maine and even out of state,” said Deb Dwyer, a member of the Historical Society. “We also had a lot of folks who summer at the lakes in addition to our folks from town.”
At a cost of $20 for adults and $15 for youth aprons, the event provided a much needed boost to the group’s financial coffers. Funds are used to help maintain the Tingley House. In addition to the aprons, cookbooks, tote bags and the Island Falls History Book were also sold.
Annette Stevens, left, and Pam Ryan of the Island Falls Historical Society wrap old-fashioned aprons for customers during Saturday’s sale at the Tingley House in Island Falls. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
“This event ended up being our biggest fundraiser ever,” Dwyer said. “We couldn’t do our usual fundraisers, so we had to come up with something different.”
The aprons all included two recipe cards featuring recipes from members of the historical society as well as an old-fashioned clothes pin, made at the town’s former clothes pin factory. Some of the fabric for the aprons came from the home of a deceased member, who gifted the material to the group.
Other events held throughout the day included a strawberry shortcake sale, rubber ducky race and fireworks at the VaJoWa golf course.
