HOULTON, Maine — Summer in Maine is typically when communities across the state come together to celebrate their heritage, catch up with family and friends and enjoy a variety of tasty treats.
While COVID-19 has put a damper on many of these celebrations, two communities in Aroostook County are determined to hold their “Summerfest” celebrations in one form or another.
The communities of Island Falls and Danforth are both holding annual “Summerfest” events next weekend. Danforth will hold a three-day festival Friday, July 31, to Sunday, Aug. 2, while Island Falls will have a one-day event Saturday, Aug. 1.
And while both of these town’s celebrations are scaled down versions of previous years, organizers say these events are not only needed, they are necessary.
Danforth Town Manager Ardis Brown said July 22 that the decision to hold her town’s event came down to bringing some small amount of normalcy into what has been a far-from-normal summer in the East Grand region.
“We were on the fence of whether to do it or not, but we decided it needed to be done,” Brown said. “We will do so with as much social distancing as possible. People were calling and coming up to ask, practically begging us not to cancel Summerfest. People want some normal.”
Sliding down an inflatable slide at the Island Falls Summerfest in 2019 is Jakoby Rockwell of Island Falls. This year’s event will not include inflatable bounce houses or other children’s games due to COVID-19 concerns. (Joseph Cyr)
Island Falls Recreation Director Ruth Frazier said her committee made the decision to tone down its community’s event because of the uncertainty surrounding what could and could not take place.
“We [the Island Falls Recreation Committee] decided not to do other events a few meetings ago, as at the time it was hard to say if the CDC was going to set requirements or guidelines on how things were going to be at the end of July, first of August,” Frazier explained. “It didn’t make sense to plan events then have to cancel. Plus we weren’t prepared to do all that might be required [for sanitizing and masking].”
In Danforth, the Summerfest offers activities for both residents and summer visitors to the area. The population in the Danforth region typically doubles or triples during summers as camp owners and lake enthusiasts flock to the area to enjoy the pristine conditions of Grand Lake, Brown said.
While the town tried to incorporate as many of the usual activities as possible, some were simply not feasible given the need for social distancing.
“Pretty much all of our activities on Main Street were canceled,” Brown said. “That means things like the grocery kart races and all the fun, interactive children’s carnival games. That has been the toughest part because you want to protect the kids.”
Because of that need for protection, some of the more popular events like the bounce houses will not be included in this year’s event in either community. In addition, the Danforth parade will not feature any candy tossed to children as it traditionally does. Island Falls took that one step further and will not hold its popular parade.
“We really had to rethink the whole thing,” Brown said. “So we decided to really focus on the family unit and come up with activities that families can do.”
Danforth’s activities kick off Friday, July 31, with a corn hole tournament at the Tourist Information Center at 4:30 p.m. An open mic concert will be held downtown from 6 to 9 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 1, the parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Mill Yard on Bancroft Road and will make its way through downtown Danforth.
Other events include live music with “Johnny Straws” offered at the front lawn of East Grand School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a family scavenger hunt at 11 a.m.; the Danforth Fire Department’s chicken barbecue at noon; an “Amazing Race” style road rally at 2 p.m.; a rubber duck derby at 6 p.m.; and a concert by the “Star City Syndicate” on Main Street at 6:30 p.m. Danforth’s event culminates with a fireworks display in the downtown at 9 p.m.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, an ATV “poker run” will be held at 10 a.m., starting at the Greenland Cove boat landing.
Because of COVID-19, the Island Falls Recreation Committee is only sponsoring a strawberry shortcake sale and fireworks display. Coming up with donations for the fireworks has once again been a struggle.
“We have been trying to contact different businesses and most have been graciously donating what they can, but coming up with $3,500 for fireworks in our little area is hard,” Frazier said.
Anyone that would like to donate to the cause may do so at the Island Falls Town Office or by mailing to the town at P.O. BOX 100, Island Falls, ME, 04747.
Traditionally, the Island Falls event features one of the more grandiose parades in the local area, with residents and businesses embracing whatever that year’s theme was with colorful decorations and costumes.
“It was decided not to have a parade due to the fact that gatherings along the roadway would be too hard to try to social distance,” Frazier said. “Plus we would probably not have as many entries.”
In recent years, it has also featured an elaborate array of children’s games with massive inflatable houses and G-Force Laser tag thanks to the generosity of local businessman Jeff Brooks.
Events for Island Falls Aug. 1 include antique tractor pulls from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at K and T Environmental Equipment; the Island Falls Historical Society will host an “Aprons on the Line” sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a strawberry shortcake sale at 12:30 p.m. at K and T Environmental Equipment; rubber duck race at 11 a.m. by the River Cafe; and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. at the VaJoWa Golf Course.
“With the other towns doing events the same day, we decided to make a small schedule and let others know what is going on,” Frazier said. “We are hoping 2021 will be much different than 2020.”
