PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The start of summer and the promise of post-COVID-19 days led to more people than ever scrambling to get their first tastes of fresh strawberry shortcakes on Thursday.
The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s annual sale began with hundreds of shortcakes sold, but the in-person ordering was soon put on hold. Due to a record number of pre-orders from more than 100 area businesses and residents, volunteers needed time to fill those orders before tending to the public.
“We pre-sold 2,100 shortcakes this year,” noted LaNiece Sirois, the Chamber’s executive director. “We usually have enough products for 2,500.”
The shortcakes were being sold for $4 each.
By noon, volunteers working at the North Street Plaza realized that they needed to prepare more strawberries in order to fill the walk-up orders and began urging folks to come by later.
Within forty-five minutes, the shortcake production was up and running again and expected to sell out by mid-afternoon.
“We come here every year. It’s a tradition,” 12-year-old Madison Patterson of Easton said.
LaNiece Sirois, executive director of the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, serves Korrin Patterson of Easton and her daughter Madison, 12, during the annual strawberry shortcake sale. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
Her mother, Korrin Patterson, said that the shortcake sale is one of many ways they enjoy supporting the community and celebrating the start of summer.
“It’s nice to have a sense of normalcy back,” Korrin Patterson said. “And of course the strawberries are the best part.”
Sirois credits the near-end of the pandemic as one of the major reasons behind the shortcake sale’s success.
“People are excited to see the state opening up again and to have events back,” Sirois said.
Throughout the day, a group of around 40 volunteers delivered carloads of shortcakes to businesses in Presque Isle and surrounding communities in central Aroostook. All proceeds will benefit the Chamber’s annual events.
Unlike last summer, when the sale was held as a drive-thru in August, the Chamber decided that planning on a June event would be worth whatever COVID-19 precautions might be in place. But Sirois and volunteers were grateful that the timing allowed the sale to completely return to normal.
“We decided to be brave and plan for our normal time,” Sirois said. “I think for the community, strawberry shortcakes always mean that summer is here.”
