HOULTON, Maine — Countless onlookers watched on with wide eyes and in awe, hearts thumping, waiting intensely as a muscle-rippled man took hold of a set of powerful jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth and tucked them neatly away under his chin. No one could ever forget the moment when Kachunga and his alligator show set up camp at Community Park in Houlton two summers ago. For those who missed the opportunity to see a wrestling match between man and beast, worry not. Kachunga is back.
The Houlton Agricultural Fair Association knows how to entertain folks and bringing back the alligator show is just one of many events that is sure to keep people entertained. The fair kicks off its annual event Thursday, July 3.
Among them is Circus Sam, AKA Sam Johnson, originally from Houlton. Fair officials were impressed with his tight-wire, comedy and juggling act. Fair President Paul Cleary said he’s pleased to have a local entertainer as one of the fair’s features. He juggles, rides his unicycle on the low wire and it’s a comedy-type show, which is new.
Also new this year are a number of contests. Cleary said the Moxy soda-chugging contest should draw in a few participants. He said there are also a number of new kids’ games that are sure to be fun.
“We’ve got a frog-jumping contest, which is new,” said Cleary. “It’s where kids will bring in their frogs and put the frogs in the middle of a circle and the frog out of the circle first is the winner. We also have two additional cooking contests for kids.”
And for those who come out just for a “bang-up” good time, there will be no disappointed fans. This year’s demo derby has a number of new entries that have been added. On Saturday, July 5, derby spectators should not be surprised to see a splash of yellow in the fields.
“The closing event will be a school bus derby,” said Cleary. “Two local celebrities will be driving the school buses in the derby.”
Andy Marino and Barrett Peabody will go head-to-head in a never-before-seen derby challenge. Also, Cleary said the fair is still looking for entries for the derby.
“The Demo derby challenge on Saturday night,” he said. “The local fire departments will be competing against each other. There is still time for other fire departments to sign up. The Houlton fire department will be there, as well as Linneus and Hodgdon, as well as other fire departments.
“We also have a powder puff challenge that we’re trying to get women to sign up for,” he added. “It’s a women’s demo derby. We’re looking for at least five women for the challenge and they need to do it fast.”
Back again this year will be the truck pulls. The kick-off will be happening Thursday night. There is also a new act called the Curbside Prophet as well as Rock Renaissance who will be playing at the Fourth of July fireworks.
“Our fireworks this year are going to be even bigger than last year,” said Cleary. “We’re going to have bigger rides than we did last year. People are concerned that oil prices may not be able to get the rides up here, but Smokey has guaranteed me that he’ll have the rides up here.”
The rides are going to be bigger, there will be lots of things going on in the entertainment tent, a karaoke contest for kids, and the livestock area will be bigger.
“We’ll have oxen, which is new,” explained Cleary. “We haven’t had oxen in a long, long time. We have a lot of stuff.”
Once again the admission cost to the Houlton fair is set at one price.
“We have the most kids’ games than any other fair in the state of Maine,” he said. “We plan the fair around that and $9 includes everything and there’s only two fairs in the state of Maine that offer that gate price that includes all the rides and activities. The only thing you have to pay for is your food and the games of chance that you want to play.”
The Houlton Agricultural Fair Association knows how to entertain folks and bringing back the alligator show is just one of many events that is sure to keep people entertained. The fair kicks off its annual event Thursday, July 3.
Among them is Circus Sam, AKA Sam Johnson, originally from Houlton. Fair officials were impressed with his tight-wire, comedy and juggling act. Fair President Paul Cleary said he’s pleased to have a local entertainer as one of the fair’s features. He juggles, rides his unicycle on the low wire and it’s a comedy-type show, which is new.
Also new this year are a number of contests. Cleary said the Moxy soda-chugging contest should draw in a few participants. He said there are also a number of new kids’ games that are sure to be fun.
“We’ve got a frog-jumping contest, which is new,” said Cleary. “It’s where kids will bring in their frogs and put the frogs in the middle of a circle and the frog out of the circle first is the winner. We also have two additional cooking contests for kids.”
And for those who come out just for a “bang-up” good time, there will be no disappointed fans. This year’s demo derby has a number of new entries that have been added. On Saturday, July 5, derby spectators should not be surprised to see a splash of yellow in the fields.
“The closing event will be a school bus derby,” said Cleary. “Two local celebrities will be driving the school buses in the derby.”
Andy Marino and Barrett Peabody will go head-to-head in a never-before-seen derby challenge. Also, Cleary said the fair is still looking for entries for the derby.
“The Demo derby challenge on Saturday night,” he said. “The local fire departments will be competing against each other. There is still time for other fire departments to sign up. The Houlton fire department will be there, as well as Linneus and Hodgdon, as well as other fire departments.
“We also have a powder puff challenge that we’re trying to get women to sign up for,” he added. “It’s a women’s demo derby. We’re looking for at least five women for the challenge and they need to do it fast.”
Back again this year will be the truck pulls. The kick-off will be happening Thursday night. There is also a new act called the Curbside Prophet as well as Rock Renaissance who will be playing at the Fourth of July fireworks.
“Our fireworks this year are going to be even bigger than last year,” said Cleary. “We’re going to have bigger rides than we did last year. People are concerned that oil prices may not be able to get the rides up here, but Smokey has guaranteed me that he’ll have the rides up here.”
The rides are going to be bigger, there will be lots of things going on in the entertainment tent, a karaoke contest for kids, and the livestock area will be bigger.
“We’ll have oxen, which is new,” explained Cleary. “We haven’t had oxen in a long, long time. We have a lot of stuff.”
Once again the admission cost to the Houlton fair is set at one price.
“We have the most kids’ games than any other fair in the state of Maine,” he said. “We plan the fair around that and $9 includes everything and there’s only two fairs in the state of Maine that offer that gate price that includes all the rides and activities. The only thing you have to pay for is your food and the games of chance that you want to play.”
