SMYRNA, Maine — What would have been the seventh annual Merrill Millstream Park Cruise-In will instead be the first annual Smyrna Merrill Historical Society (SMHS) Blast From the Past, taking place this Saturday, Aug. 19, in downtown Smyrna.
The Merrill selectmen presented an ordinance this past year. Among several changes was decreasing the size of the park committee and restricting the amount of non-residents and potential financial penalties for noncompliance. The ordinance was approved in a special town vote. The fallout was the resignation of most of the committee, and events at MMP coming to a halt when no new volunteers came forward.
The SMHS stepped forward to take the vintage car event over, since they had a solid core of volunteers in place. The result, according to organizers, has been beyond expectations. Downtown Smyrna will serve as the new venue, with parking along both sides of the street, a lobster feed and Italian sausage as in the past. Local businesses are involved.
Ralph Bartman, organizer of the event, has heard from people in Canada, as well as northern, central and southern Maine who plan to attend. The “Old Flywheel Guys” from Fredericton, New Brunswick, have stated they plan to come with their old working engine display. The SMHS has created a larger than life “Plinko” game with prizes for both adults and kids.
For more information visit the Smyrna Merrill Historical Society Facebook page or call Bartman at 757-8411.
