Mapleton Daze was a weekend of fun, activities, food and music. The Mapleton Lions Club grilled and served over 300 barbecue chicken dinners, while the Mapleton Methodist Women served nine flavors of pie. The band The County Folk entertained.
Mapleton Baptist Church sponsored a cornhole tournament won by Faith Bergeron, a Baptist Park counselor. Ben Beaulieu was second and Dakota Morrow was third. The evening closed with a fireworks show made possible through donations and fundraising by the Mapleton Daze Committee.
Mapleton Daze began with a sunrise breakfast on Haystack Mountain. Hikers were, from left: Odin Cushman, Justin Buck, Shea Cushman, Mary Potter, Maddie Buzza, Aaron Buzza, Isaac Clark, Ryan Clark, Sara Clack and Isabelle Clark.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
A sunrise hike up Haystack Mountain allowed hikers to see the beauty of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman from the peak. While the sky was a bit overcast, the temperature was excellent for a climb to the top, where breakfast was enjoyed by everyone.
Free breakfast sandwich were given away by area churches. Rev. Jim Ackerson, pastor of the Mapleton Baptist Church, said the churches’ goal was to give away 150 sandwiches, but he believes they came served nearly 170.
The Mapleton Daze Committee held a cooking/baking contest with the assistance of Linda Rodd of Taste of Home Restaurant. Winners were Jeannette Bingiel for Best Maple Dish, Dough Gilson for Best Potato Dish, and Cindy Himes for Best Sweet/Dessert, with second place going to Jack Maddox and third to Alice Malloch.
The winners of this year’s best decorated bikes and riders in the children’s bike parade are, from left: Abishai Jones, ages 13-100; Carter Boulware, 7-9; Skyleya Darrell, 5-6; and Raeley Cummings, 10-12. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
The annual parade was led by the children’s bike parade. Trophies were given by age category for the best decorated children’s bikes and riders. Bike parade winners for this year were: Skyleya Darrell for ages 5-6, Carter Boulware for ages 7-9 with Will Young receiving honorable mention, Raeley Cummings for ages 10-12 and Abishai Jones for ages 13-100 years. Jacob Benjamin earned honorable mention for traveling farthest to the parade, all the way from Vermont.
Best Antique Auto went to Shannon King, Best Business to United Ag and Turf, Best Non-Profit to Anah Shrine Indy Cars, Best Queen Float to the Presque Isle Queens and the Best Overall Float to Moose Mainea Monster Truck.
One the educational and entertaining demonstrations was Guy Laundry, Village Blacksmithing. Elliot St. Peter who helped twist a railroad spike so that it would not shake loose from a railroad tie. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Several activities followed the parade: inflatables, horseback rides, monster truck rides, demonstrations including the Village Blacksmith Guy Landry, face painting and all kinds of food. Thirteen varieties of homemade pie with homemade vanilla or grape-nut ice cream were sold by the Haystack Historical Society. Twenty-seven pies were sold and members were happy with the excellent support shown for the museum.
The car show was held at the Mapleton Baptist Church. A wide variety of antique as well as special cars and trucks were included.
As Saturday began to wind down, weather concerns brewed. The Star City Syndicate show was relocated to the Mapleton Lions Hall and was enjoyed by everyone present.
On Sunday morning, the family ATV ride started at the Mapleton Gazebo, hosted by the Mapleton ATV Club who provided lunch along the trail.
One young lad discovered Velcro can be stronger than gravity, particularly when you jump so high that you cannot get free from its grip. Bouncy houses and other Mapleton Daze activity spread smiles all the way around. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Mapleton Daze concluded Sunday evening with The King’s Messengers Puppet Show. This was a show for the whole family and involved the use of small spring puppets, large full-sized puppets, black light presentations and other effects. The puppet show is a ministry of the Framework Church and was presented by Mapleton Baptist Church.
The Mapleton Daze Committee invites feedback from folks who attended. Comments and suggestions may be made on the Mapleton Daze Facebook page.
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.
