Mapleton Daze began with a very successful baked bean dinner for the Haystack Historical Museum, a motor bike stunt show and packed house for the Bingo and cribbage night. Nancy Watson won the cribbage tournament.
As a result of excellent weather throughout the weekend, all activities went as planned with large crowds of spectators and participants.
The Mapleton Lions Club once again sold out of their chicken barbecue dinners in a quick fashion at Mapleton Daze this year. Here Mapleton Lions chef Frank Richards mans the grill.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The Mapleton Lions Club quickly sold out of 400-plus chicken barbecue dinners. Club President Rick Fowler was thankful for the community support for the event. Some people thought having the dinner as a drive-thru event would be a turn-off to diners, but the club experienced just the opposite with dinners sold out in record time. Many people preferred to take dinners home and enjoy them on their patios or outdoor porches.
Star City Syndicate performed at the Mapleton Elementary School Parking lot to one of the largest crowds Mapleton Daze has seen in its more than 30 years. Other food vendors were overwhelmed by the turnout. The Presque Isle Fire Department sold out of their grilled sandwiches. The fireworks show drew such a large crowd that traffic on Main Street and Grendell Road, overlooking the school field, was almost blocked during the 30 minute show.
Saturday morning, breakfast was offered on the top of Haystack Mountain and downtown next to the Mapleton Post Office. The Haystack breakfast was sponsored by Aroostook County Action Program. The Mapleton Baptist and Methodist and the West Chapman Advent Christian churches cooked and provided breakfast sandwiches until the parade.
Kids and their bikes are lined up and ready to lead the annual Mapleton Daze Parade.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The parade had nearly 60 entries. A conservative estimate of a few hundred pounds of candies and treats were given away by participants this year. The parade was led by kids from the three communities.
Prizes included the following. In the youth division, the winner of the 4 years and younger was Jordyn Leblanc as Moana; the winner of the 5- to 6-year-olds was Gil Berube as Spiderman; the winner of the 7- to 9-year-olds was Raeley Cummings as Sanderson Sisters; and, the winner of those ages 10-12 was Mason Chasse as USS Moose.
There were no participants for the 13- to 99-year-old division, which hopefully will change next year. All of the other youth participants won a medal to wear in the parade.
Trophies were presented for Best Antique Vehicle, won by Ron and Julie Roope; Best Business, won by Mapleton Oil; Best Nonprofit, Baptist Park; Best Queen, Caribou Queens; Best Tractor, Buck Farms; and Best Overall Entry, Dodge Ram Club.
Throughout the week, raffle tickets were sold to help support next year’s Mapleton Daze. The winner of the kayak was Trent Legassie, while Herman Legassie won the Amish bench rocker. Sarah Southerland won two Waterfront Concert tickets. Fifteen bicycles were given away in free drawings for youth up to 16 yrs. of age.
Visitors explore homemade pie during the annual pie and ice cream social at the Haystack Historical Society Museum. This has been a long standing treat for returning visitors to the area. Here Alice Shephard adds ice cream to the pies as Myrna Gardner refills the table. Marla Buck-Longley can hardly wait for a taste.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
After the parade, people enjoyed the Haystack Historical Society’s Homemade Pie and Ice cream sale, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, horse rides, touch-a-truck fun and face painting. A car show was held. The evening ended with an open house and movie at Baptist Park.
The last day of Mapleton Daze was Sunday, June 26. In the morning the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile and ATV Club sponsored the annual Steven L. Kennedy, Jr. Memorial Ride. There were many riders that headed out from the downtown gazebo who had lunch on the trail.
The weekend closed out Sunday evening with a community singspiration led by the Mapleton Baptist and West Chapman Advent Christian churches. The crowd at the Mapleton Lions Hall enjoyed the music and sweet treats and ice cream that were provided by the churches. The churches’ two pastors, Jim Ackerson of Mapleton Baptist and Nate Gardiner of West Chapman Advent, led the evening of music and inspiration.
The Mapleton Daze Committee is already working on the 2023 Mapleton Daze and fundraising events will be announced for next year’s event.
The Squapan Outing Club held a successful and enjoyable annual beanhole bean dinner at Scopan Lake. From left, John Graves and Roger Hoffses serve those delicious beans.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Annual bean supper
On Saturday, July 2, the Squapan Outing Club hosted its annual beanhole bean supper at the landing pavilions at Scopan Lake. The menu included beans, barbecue chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, rolls, homemade dessert and drinks.
The large crowd that came out enjoyed the excellent weather and the terrific food. The Squapan Outing Club sold merchandise with its new design and logo.
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.
