HOULTON — Recognizing that an active community benefits everyone in the area, the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce has undertaken an ambitious schedule of events for 2016.
Events for the remainder of the year include:
May 21: Community Market opens in Market Square. Hours: 9-1 every Saturday. Closes for the season in October.
July 2: Midnight Madness has become the definitive event for the Town of Houlton. This year will be another all-day affair starting with music in the downtown area and continuing until midnight. The fireworks have become an annual kick-off to the Fourth of July weekend festivities and in 2015 were enjoyed by an estimated crowd of 8000.
July 2: The Arts and Crafts Fair coincides with the Houlton Ag Fair, which gives visitors lots to do over the Fourth of July week. The craft fair in Monument Park draws between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors to view and purchase handmade items made by 50-plus crafters and four nonprofit organizations.
July 4: The Fourth of July Parade has once again become the responsibility of the chamber. The parade starts at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the Catholic Church on Main St. and is a mile long.
July 23: The Houlton International Wings & Wheels Fly-in Cruise-in is designed to showcase the Houlton International Airport. Despite the early morning rainy weather last year, the day drew an estimated 1,500 people to view planes, helicopters, historical presentations, crafters and games for the kids. The community showed up in force to enjoy the day. In store for next year will be an air show, sky-divers and more.
Aug. 19 and 20: Annual Potato Feast Days will be kicked off by the doll and wagon wrangler parade and coin scramble, a lobster feast in Monument Park and music in the amphitheater. This is a great start for a weekend which includes the community market, a craft Fair and kids’ games. Monster trucks and a car show in Community Park sponsored by Hogan Tire will round out the weekend.
Sept. 17: The annual Riverfront Harvest Festival has become an event designed to bring attention to Riverfront Park and to encourage activity in the park itself. The day will start with a 5K race that goes over the Gateway Bridge and through town and loops back to Riverfront Park for an awards ceremony. There will be crafters in Market Square along with community market vendors. Part of Market Square will be closed for the day to take on a street fair vibe. The Tractor Train, barbecue and 100-pie extravaganza are a few of the highlights.
Nov. 26: The Holiday Light Parade is held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, but this year the chamber will also host an event called Small Town Saturday. This will start at noon with kid’s games, a free matinee at the Temple Theater, a bonfire in Market Square, music and fun for the whole family. This day encourages the “shop local” concept. Santa Claus will light the Christmas tree and be available to hear the children’s wishes after the parade.
