PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Despite threatening skies and a brief shower, approximately 1,500 people attended the 12th annual July 4th community celebration hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954.
According to event chair Dana Dickinson, as soon as the rain clouds disappeared, the usual large number of people assembled at Riverside Park in Presque Isle.
“With the generous assistance of Star City IGA, an annual sponsor for this event, the Elks served, free of charge to those attending, 1,200 hot dogs, as well as 1,500 servings of juice and water, 500 bags of popcorn, 400 servings of shaved ice, and 400 slices of watermelon,” Dickinson said.
Marion Donahue, exalted ruler of the Presque Isle Elks, said, “The music played by The Good Ole Boys and Girls pleased practically everyone in attendance.”
Members of The Good Ole Boys and Girls are primarily from Woodstock and Drummond, New Brunswick, and include Paula Gura, Larry Adams, Jennifer Holmes, Ron DeMerchant, Darren McLaughlin, Kevin McLaughlin and Shawna McLaughlin.
“Many of those attending the Elks’ annual picnic were content to simply listen to the music for as long as The Good Ole Boys and Girls played,” Donahue stated.
Meanwhile, owners brought a large variety of cars, pickups and special-interest vehicles for the annual car show along Riverside Drive.
Stephen Deschaines’ Polaris Sling Shot won in the special-interest category.
Alan Trombley’s 1935 Ford convertible was tops in the antique through 1959 class. Starr Craig’s 1990 Ford F-150 was judged to be the best pickup entered. Randy Trask’s 1968 Pontiac GTO took the top prize in the 1960s class. Levi Saucier’s 1978 Dodge was best in the 1970s class. Dick and Judy Gillen’s 1984 Hurst Oldsmobile won the 1980s class. Josh Clayton won first place for top muscle car for his 1969 Chevy Chevelle.
Gerald St. Jarre from the Northern Cruisers Auto Club took the People’s Choice Award for his 1984 Chevy El Camino, while Jean Nadeau’s 1969 Chevy Camaro won Best of Show.
Car show chair Matt Dick was pleased with the large number of vehicles entered.
“Based upon the response of the car owners to this car show and the amount of praise that their vehicles received from the public attending the event, I look forward to a July 4th car show that gets better every year,” Dick said.
Children’s games and contests were held throughout the celebration. Every child entering a game received a prize in the form of an outdoor activity toy.
“Over 225 prizes were awarded to children for playing a game or entering a contest,” Donahue said.
“The amount of appreciation expressed this year by those in attendance at the annual Elks’ July 4th community celebration guarantees that the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, will plan and organize yet another July 4th picnic in 2018,” she added.
