The 2021 edition of Mapleton Daze was five days fun and happiness this year. The Mapleton Daze Committee thanked everyone whose attendance made all of events fun and enjoyable.
Lynnelle Foster, Mapleton Daze chairwoman, said, “The committee was particularly appreciative of the many sponsors who made Mapleton Daze financially possible. Because of the many sponsors, we wereable to offer some new events and fun activities.”
On Tuesday evening, June 22, the event began with a solemn remembrance ceremony for those who were lost to the COVID-19 virus. Participating in the ceremony were Foster; Jay Reynolds, MD; Rev. Nathan Gardiner; Maddie Buzza, 2021 Presque Isle High School graduate; Sandra Fournier, Castle Hill/Chapman/Mapleton Town Manager, Chunzeng Wang Ph.D, University of Maine at Presque Isle; and Kelly O’Mara, WAGM news director/anchor.
Rev. Gardiner opened and closed the ceremony in prayer. Buzza played the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the opening of ceremony. Reynolds recalled the challenges that the Covid-19 virus has brought to Maine and Aroostook County in particular. As the ceremony came to a close, O’Mara sang “Amazing Grace” prior to a 48-balloon release in memory of the Aroostook County persons lost to COVID-19. T
As is the Mapleton Daze tradition for the last 30 years, kids on their decorated bicycles and wagons lead the 2021 Mapleton Daze Parade. Here are some of them on their bikes getting ready for the event.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Another new event this year was the “Dialed Action Sports BMX Bike Show” where a very large crowd of children and parents enjoyed an exciting show. Another new event was the Mapleton Baptist Church’s first cornhole tournament. The winner was Liz McHatten with Mike Ireland landing in second place. The only disappointment came as rain prevented Baptist Park from conducting its planned outdoor activities at the park for its first Mapleton Daze Family Fun Night. Fortunately a good crowd came for the movie, which was moved indoors. They are looking to try again next year.
Thursday evening at Mapleton Daze featured two floors of game players – Bingo on the main floor and the Woodie Waddell Annual Cribbage Tournament downstairs. More than fifty donated prizes were given away to the games’ winners. The cribbage tournament is conducted in memory of Woodie Waddell, a Mapleton Lion Club member, who spent many hours playing cribbage with club members and neighbors. This year’s tournament winner was Troy Stephenson.
The Mapleton Lions Club thanks everyone who supported their Annual Chicken BBQ at Mapleton Daze. They sold all the meals they had available (over 400) in record time. Here the chief grillers, from left, Lions Jon Roark, Tim Graham and Frank Richards turn out fresh cooked chicken for the dinners.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
One the most popular events during Mapleton Daze is always the Mapleton Lions Club chicken barbecue. This year was no exception as the Mapleton Lions Club sold over 400 drive-thru chicken dinners, and as a result, when it was time for the club members to eat, all that was available were some red hot dogs. The club had successfully sold all of its available dinners.
Mapleton Lions Club President Rick Fowler explained, “The buyers came steadily until the chicken was gone. The club is thankful for the community support and the additional donations received above the meal price. We will be back again next year.”
Local churches for the third year provided Mapleton Daze goers with free breakfast sandwiches. From left, Pastors Nate Gardiner, Jim Ackerson and Mike Ireland assemble sandwiches. The eggs and meat were cooked across the street at the Mapleton Methodist Church while the pastors toasted the English muffins and assembled the sandwiches. They say they are ready to come back for the 2022 Mapleton Daze. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Free breakfast sandwiches were provided by the Mapleton and Chapman churches. Breakfast was free, but the churches asked diners to consider bringing a non-perishable item for the Tri-Town Community Cupboard.
Breakfast for more adventuresome individuals was served with a view from the top of Haystack Mountain. Maine Health Let’s Go 5-2-1-0 in Partnership with ACAP sponsored Breakfast with a View Sunrise Hike. Adam Murchison guided participants to the top of the mountain, where everyone enjoyed a healthy breakfast before descending.
The annual car show was located at the Mapleton Baptist Church. A number of the vehicles drove in the parade, which was led with the youth of the community on their decorated bicycles and wagons.
Haystack Historical Society reports they experienced the largest annual homemade pie and ice cream sale in many years. Their members were concerned about having the sale as a drive-thru event, but were pleasantly surprised by the community turnout and support they received. The members were only able to take a few slices of pie home, because almost all of the 30-plus pies had been sold.
Alice Shepard, Historical Society President was herself surprised and appreciative for the community support.
The Mapleton Baptist Church conducted the very first Mapleton Daze Cornhole Tournament. The winner was Liz McHatten, shown here with runnerup Mike Ireland. This event will return again next year. (Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Music and dessert at the Lions Club
A new event following Mapleton Daze occurred Sunday June 27, with music and dessert at the Lions Club hall. They started singing at 5:30 pm with leaders and musicians from the various tri-community churches. With just under a hundred in the audience, there were smiles and joyful voices before and after the dessert break.
Because of the joy in this event, the organizers are already looking to repeat the event at next year’s Mapleton Daze.
For more information regarding the 2021 Mapleton Daze, readers can go the Mapleton Daze Facebook page –https://www.facebook.com/MapletonDaze.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
