Mapleton was filled with local residents and visitors for its weeklong Mapleton Daze.
The kick-off Family Fun and Pool Party events were well attended an enjoyed by all. The Mapleton-Castle Hill-Chapman Volunteer Fire Department opened the week with an open house. Firefighters gave rides in Engine 2, which thrilled both kids and parents.
As if there wasn’t enough water sprayed at the fire department open house on Monday night, Tuesday evening brought a pool party at the Mapleton Community Pool, the only place to be on a hot day. The Recreation Department and the Mapleton Daze Committee thank everyone who came out to help raise funds for the summer recreation programs.
Wednesday was the third night of Mapleton Daze Week and a huge turnout of spectators came to see two shows of skill and daring — “Axe Women Loggers of Maine” and “Xpogo.” Three young XPogo stuntmen used large, air-powered pogo sticks that propelled them high into the air. An all-female team then led the logging show. These athletes have won world championships as choppers, sawyers, logrollers and axe throwers.
Game Night was held June 27 at the Mapleton Elementary School. In the cafeteria, the Bingo crowd completely filled the room. Meanwhile in the school’s common area, 26 cribbage players played a series of games facing different opponents until Matthew Haney proved to be the top card shark of the competition.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Friday proved to be the biggest night of the week with an estimated attendance of more than 2,000 folks. The Mapleton Lions Club sold out all their chicken barbecue dinners and hot dogs. The Mapleton Methodist Women sold all their homemade pies.
A french fry vendor sold more than 550 pounds of potatoes, which was their planned amount for the whole weekend. Other food vendors reported similar sales. The Mapleton United Baptist Church held its annual cornhole tournament, and the evening ended with an exciting and enjoyable show put on by the Star City Syndicate.
(Courtesy of Adam Murchison)
Saturday morning brought more success as 21 hardy mountain climbers went up Haystack Mountain to have breakfast at the top.
Adam Murchison reported, “This was largest group ever to come out and climb the mountain for a breakfast treat.”
Next to the post office, the Mapleton churches gave away 150 breakfast sandwiches before the parade.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
This year’s parade was the largest in the history of Mapleton Daze with more than 70 entries. Prizes were given to kids who decorated their bikes and wore costumes. The attendance along the parade route was estimated at about 4,000 people.
Following the parade there were a car show, several bouncy houses, a petting zoo and horseback riding for kids. The Haystack Historical Museum sold all of their many pies and gallons of homemade ice cream.
The 35th annual Mapleton Daze was just as Merlyn Buck and Jerry Dow, the originators of Mapleton Daze, envisioned the week to be, a week focused on family fun in the three communities.
For more information regarding Mapleton Daze and to see the list of sponsors who made the week possible, go to their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/MapletonDaze.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Summer is Here
The Mapleton Recreation Department has posted on its Facebook page the schedules for Little League games, hours for the pool and the availability of free lunches for kids. Please check www.facebook.com/MapletonRecDept for more information.
On really hot days, the pool’s free swim hours are Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. There is no charge for the pool and it is open to everyone. No excuse just come and cool down.
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.
