CARIBOU, Maine – Summer might not officially begin until June 20, but in Caribou the season starts much earlier on Sweden Street.
On a humid but often breezy Thursday night, thousands gathered to kick off Thursdays on Sweden Street. People caught up with friends and neighbors while enjoying hotdogs, pizza, ice cream and other treats and checking out 45 craft and community vendors.
Just before the 6 p.m. start time, lines were already forming at several food trucks.
Jeanette Hallett and her children Tanner, 9, and Avery, 8, of Presque Isle were excited to pick up ice cream from the Scoops truck. The family attends block party events in Caribou and Presque Isle every summer.
“We like all the vendors and live music, and it’s always a good excuse to get ice cream,” Jeanette Hallett said.
Newly formed local band Shamrock played a variety of classic rock, pop and country songs while people mingled amongst the crowd.
Kathy Adler of Caribou stopped by the Caribou Kiwanis Club booth with her grandson, Zander Adler, 13, for slices of pizza.
“It’s a good family event, and you get to see a lot of people you don’t normally see,” Kathy Adler said.
The crowd of about 1,600 people totaled around the same as last year’s Thursdays on Sweden Street kick off, said City Manager Penny Thompson.
For the past few summers, Thompson has set up her own booth at every street party to interact with residents and hear their thoughts or concerns about the city. It’s also a chance for Thompson to see people enjoying downtown Caribou.
“A lot of people come out to see their neighbors [or] they’ll plan their vacation and reunion so they get here for Thursday night,” Thompson said. “People always have a good time.”
Due to July 4 landing on a Thursday this year, Caribou will not be able to hold the series every other Thursday, per the usual schedule, but will still have four more events on June 20, July 11 and 25 and August 8.
The July 25 event will be held at Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center on Bennett Drive as part of the Caribou Cares About Kids festival.
