HOULTON, Maine – If the weather holds out, Midnight Madness planners expect larger than normal crowds for the annual July 3 event.
“We could get 6,000 to 8,000,” said organizer Jane Torres, executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “Seems like people are really much more engaged and interested. We always have a good crowd but it just seems like I am getting an extraordinary amount of calls.”
The annual event has transformed over the years from a downtown shopping experience to a packed street fair with entertainment, food, vendors and fireworks. And with this year’s Hollywood theme, planners are really laying out the red carpet for festival goers, according to Torres.
There will be three music sessions this year opening with Star City Syndicate, 20-piece band Northern Maine motown and contemporary band starting at 4:30 p.m., McGill’s Community Band at 7 p.m. and Highway 207 at 8 p.m.
The Strawberry Shortcake sale on July 2, a precursor to Midnight Madness, is also booming, said Torres.
They expect to sell close to 800 this year, Torres said.
What makes the strawberry shortcake such a big draw is the whipped cream, she said.
“We buy our cream from Houlton Farms Dairy in gallon jugs and it’s so rich. I make my own vanilla and add a little confectioner’s sugar,” she explained. “It’s wonderful and it has a following.”
The 9:30 p.m. fireworks display from Riverside Park is about 15 minutes of finale, Torres said.
An added downtown attraction will be a karaoke contest at the Temple Theater. Inspired by Hollywood glitz and glamor, The Karaoke Showdown is slated for 10 p.m. after the Midnight Madness fireworks show.
Midnight Madness starts at 4 p.m. and runs up toward midnight.
