HOULTON, Maine — Bargain shoppers beware. The streets of downtown Houlton may be invaded by pirates on Friday, June 30, as part of the 31st annual Midnight Madness celebration.
Midnight Madness will once again provide plenty of free entertainment for families as folks from around the region pour into Market Square. The event typically draws as many as 6,000 people toBargain shoppers during the course of the evening.
“We have a lot more vendors planned for this year and there will be a great variety,” said Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “We are encouraging downtown businesses to get into the spirit and decorate with the pirate theme.”
Attendance last year was down compared to previous years, but Torres attributed the lower numbers to a strong storm that passed through the area earlier in the day causing cooler than normal temperatures. The event also competed directly with the demolition derby at the Houlton Agricultural Fair.
This year, Midnight Madness will serve as the official kick-off to the Fourth of July holiday.
Originally designed as a sales event, with local shops offering discounts that rose as the night wore on, Midnight Madness has evolved into more of a street fair, featuring free live entertainment and plenty of food vendors. The atmosphere of the evening is always one of homecoming, capturing the excitement of the Fourth of July holiday and reunions.
Not limited to just downtown merchants, many stores in the area will be open late. Market Square in downtown Houlton is partially closed to vehicle traffic for the evening, allowing bargain hunters to roam freely through the streets.
Tim “The Tuneman” Humphrey kicks off the event in Market Square where he will be encouraging children — and willing adults — to limbo and hula hoop for prizes from 5-7 p.m. The LP Miracle Mile Road Race begins at 6 p.m., with the finish line near the intersection of Main and Court streets.
McGill’s Community Band will perform at the Houlton Amphitheatre in Monument Park from 7-8 p.m., followed by “Circus Cam” — Cameron Clark — who will showcase his juggling and unicycle skills from 8-8:30 p.m. After that, the popular musical group “Ted and the Boys” will perform in Market Square from 8:30-10:30 p.m., taking a break at about 9:30 p.m. for everyone to enjoy the fireworks over the Gateway Crossing bridge.
For more information, call the chamber at 532-4216.
