CARIBOU, Maine — The community held its final Thursdays on Sweden event of the summer last week.
Over 1,000 people arrived for the occasion, which was sponsored by Sitel, United Insurance, S.W. Collins Company, Haney’s Building Specialties, Griffeth Ford, and Cary Medical Center.
Motor Booty Affair, a disco party band from Portland, performed spot-on renditions of classic hits from artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, The Village People, and The Commodores.
The Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots organization set up a booth along the street, in which they took donations and provided information about their cause.
“Believe it or not, a lot of the calls we receive are from people who ask to donate toys from their home,” said Leigh St. Peter. “We not only help needy families, but we also give to children whose homes recently suffered fires, floods, and other forms of devastation. We’re having a landspeed race in Limestone next weekend, and we plan on cooking hot dogs for the people who come out.”
Leigh’s husband, Rudolph St. Peter, is a coordinator for the organization.
Farther down the street, Ray Vogel sold vintage toy cars at his booth.
“Some of these are modeled after muscle cars from years back,” said Vogel. “We have inexpensive deals on little wheels. Some of the older ones, like the Johnny Lightning muscle cars, are considered collectible by quite a few people.”
The Aroostook Band of Micmacs Women’s Drum Group gathered next to the Caribou Theater to perform for passersby.
“The community here is very receptive and welcoming,” said Sarah DeWitt, a member of the Women’s Drum Group who also works with the Domestic Violence Program. “I love that Caribou does this. You get a little piece of everybody in the community.”
Ken and Tamra Keaton, independent consultants for Pampered Chef, showed off cookware during the event.
“It’s exciting being a part of this,” said Tamra Keaton. “I think this Thursdays on Sweden is probably going to be the biggest. There is always such a great variety of people that come down, some of them are even from out of town. The Recreation Department and city of Caribou have done a great job organizing everything, and I can’t wait to come back next year.”
