HOULTON, Maine — Although the weather still screams summer, the fall season is just around the corner.
To celebrate the upcoming potato harvest, the town will hold the 59th annual Potato Feast Days Friday, Aug. 24, and Saturday, Aug. 25, with a number of events planned throughout the weekend.
The event kicks off Friday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. with the “Touch-a-Truck” event on Broadway, which will be closed to traffic. Area youth will be able to climb on, sit in and pretend to drive a variety of big rigs, fire trucks, police cars and potato harvesters.
The Chamber of Commerce Lobster Feast in Monument Park will start at 4:30 p.m. The meal consists of Maine lobster, new potatoes and corn on the cob, with Houlton Farms Dairy butter to drench everything in and topped off with a homemade cookie. A second grilled option will be available. Lobsters were donated this year by J. McLaughlin Construction and Donahue’s Maintenance and Masonry.
“Again this year the lobsters have been donated, allowing us to drop the price to $10 for a complete meal,” said Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. “A second lobster can be added for $7 more. Last year, we completely sold out so come early.”
The chamber sold about 275 lobsters last year, and had to turn people away when they ran out.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. at the chamber office, the children’s Doll and Wagon Wranglers Parade will wind its way through Market Square. When the parade ends in front of Cary Library, the children will be treated to juice and cookies. The youngsters will then be able to participate in a mini-tractor pull event.
At 6:30 p.m., Ted and the Boys take to the Houlton Amphitheatre to play a variety of country favorites until 9 p.m.
Saturday will feature the popular craft fair in Monument Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the ongoing Community Market in Market Square from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and the Church of the Good Shepherd’s Pie and Ice Cream Sale and Yard Sale at Watson Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition, a chicken barbecue fundraiser for Houlton firefighter Dean Porter will be held Saturday in Monument Park from 4:30-6 p.m. Porter has had several cardiac operations, with more to come.
On both days, the Friends and Needles Quilt Show takes place at the Houlton Higher Education Center.
For more information, call 532-4216 or visit the chamber on Facebook.
