On June 21, the organizing committee will kick off the 2022 Mapleton Daze week by hosting a fundraiser for the Haystack Historical Society at the Haystack Historical Museum on Main Street in Mapleton.
This dinner will be a drive-by traditional homemade baked bean dinner with all the fixings, drink and dessert. Meal pick-up will start at 4:30 p.m. and continue until sold out. The cost of the dinner is $10 per meal. Each year the Mapleton Daze Committee likes to help an organization in town with some type of fundraiser, and the historical society is this year’s selected group.
Wednesday, June 22, will feature a dirt bike stunt show. Last year’s show was a hit as onlookers saw the bikers’ tricks and skills. The show will be held at the Mapleton Elementary School parking lot and starts at 6:30 p.m., but come early as there will be food trucks available for spectators. Rain date is the following evening at the same time and place.
Mapleton Daze Game night is Thursday, June 23, at the Mapleton Lions Hall. Upstairs there will be Bingo and downstairs will be the Woody Waddell Cribbage Tournament. There will be free hot dogs, chips and drinks for players. Lots of prizes will be given away with no charge to play bingo.
On Friday, June 24, the “world famous” Mapleton Lions chicken barbecue will be a drive-thru meal at the Mapleton Lions Hall. The dinner will consist of a barbecue chicken breast, potato salad, cole slaw, roll and drink.
These may be picked up at the hall and taken to the Mapleton Elementary School, where Star City Syndicate will start playing at 6:30 p.m. Other local talent will perform and there will be some additional food trucks.
Following at dusk (9 p.m. approximately), the annual fireworks show will occur behind the school.
Mapleton Daze begins Tuesday, and a highlight is always the Mapleton Daze Parade. Here kids riding in a previous parade show the fun they have leading the parade each year. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Saturday, June 25, will be filled with activities and events starting at 7 a.m. with a hike up Haystack with a light breakfast served on top for the hikers who make it all the way up. This activity is sponsored by Aroostook County Action Program.
Then at 7:30 a.m., the area churches will provide free breakfast sandwiches on Main Street next to the Post Office.
At 10 a.m., the annual homemade pie and ice cream sale will start at the Haystack Historical Society. Also at the same time, the Mapleton Daze Parade will come down Main Street from Dudley Road to the elementary school.
From 11 a.m. on, activities around the school will include face painting, demonstrations, bouncy houses, games, a petting zoo, horse rides, bike giveaways and many more. A car school will occur across the street from the school.
Saturday evening, starting at 6 p.m., Baptist Park will host a family night at the campground. There will obstacle courses, games and food at the Candy Shack. At dusk, the movie “Overcome” will be shown.
Sunday, June 26, will be the wrap-up day with the Steven L. Kennedy Jr. Memorial Ride hosted by the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile and ATV Club. Everyone is welcome and lunch will be provided along the trail. The ride begins at !2:30 p.m. at the downtown gazebo.
At 6 p.m. there will be a community Singspiration at the Mapleton Lions Hall with talented musicians from different churches in the area.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
