Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Rain may have delayed the Presque Isle Elks’ annual 4th of July picnic by a day, but it sure didn’t dampen the spirits of those who attended the event the following day.
“Despite the postponement due to weather from Saturday, July 4, to Sunday, July 5, and the unsettled weather on Sunday, the Presque Isle Elks’ fourth annual July 4th Community Celebration drew hundreds of people to Riverside Park in Presque Isle for a midday picnic,” said Mary Dickinson, event co-chair.
The Elks served over 1,000 hotdogs and 1,500 hamburgers or cheeseburgers to persons attending the festivities, as well as soft drinks, potato chips, watermelon and ice cream — all free of charge, courtesy of the local Elks.
Event Co-Chairs David and Mary Dickinson oversaw a crew of 20 Elks members and spouses who worked nonstop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in setting up, assembling, cooking and serving the traditional picnic fare.
“Scores of young children energetically enjoyed their allotted time in the ‘bouncy hut,’ provided for the event by Hedrich Vending, Inc. Cheryl Ouellette, from the Maine Military Authority, coordinated the demonstration of MMA’s work product with free rides in a ‘soft-top HumVee,’ which had been remanufactured at MMA’s facility at the Loring Commerce Center,” said David Dickinson.
A number of people patiently waited for boat rides on the Presque Isle Stream, provided by Edgar Leblanc of Star City Sanitation. Young and old alike donned life jackets and climbed aboard the pontoon boat for a cruise upstream and back.
Children took part in a variety of children’s contests, with over 500 prizes being awarded to the competing youngsters.
A wide variety of antique, classic and muscle cars attracted spectators to the car show, with cars lined up along Riverside Dr. According to Mike Cowett, the perennial organizer of this event, this year’s car show drew, “the greatest number ever of truly spectacular cars,” each evidencing hundreds of hours of work in restoration or creation, including a 1940 Ford Coupe and 1950 Studebaker owned by John Jalbert, a 1956 Ford F150 owned by Scott St. Peter and a 1926 Ford T-coupe owned by Scott Ashley.
“Selected for the Best of Show award was the 1967 Corvette owned by Jim and Nancy Chandler. John Jalbert won the People’s Choice award, on the basis of the most votes from the public, for his 1950 Studebaker,” said David.
Local musicians were on hand again this year, providing entertainment for the crowd.
“Providing musical entertainment for the event again this year were Peter Parker and his friends, Mac McKnight on drums, Donald Soucier on the fiddle, David Quartarone on lead guitar, with James “Sheldon” Wright singing and playing acoustic guitar, and Steven McPherson and Kenny Pelkey joining on electric guitar from time to time,” said Mary.
Whether checking out the assembled old and new cars, participating in a contest, taking a boat ride or simply visiting with neighbors and friends while having a hotdog or cheeseburger, everyone in attendance enjoyed the annual celebration.
One three-year-old boy in attendance, after winning a prize, commented, “This is so great. This has been the bestest day of my life.”
Sierra Farley, the 4-year-old daughter of Nola and Les Farley, of Presque Isle, was too busy playing on one of the park toys to comment but her mother expressed the family’s delight with the event.
“This is a great opportunity for folks to get out and have fun. This certainly is a beautiful day for such,” said Nola Farley.
Callie Junkins, the 3-year-old daughter of Brock and Mel Junkins, of Presque Isle, was spotted enjoying one of the children’s games.
“She’s having a blast. What a wonderful event this is,” said her mom, Mel Junkins.
In commenting on the event, Mary stated, “A lot of work goes into making this July 4th celebration happen, both in the planning and preparation, as well as actually putting on the event. Elks members, spouses and volunteers work extremely hard to make it all come together. At the end of the day, however, the broad smiles of hundreds of happy children and the sincere appreciation expressed by nearly everyone make it all very worthwhile.”
Plans are already being made for next year.
“The Presque Isle Elks are anxious to begin planning for an even bigger July 4th event next year,” Dickinson concluded.
BON VOYAGE! — Well-wishers wave to loved ones as they cruise up the Presque Isle Stream aboard Edgar Leblanc’s party boat at the Presque 
Isle Elks annual picnic, held July 5 at Riverside Park.
SIERRA FARLEY, 4, daughter of Nola and Les Farley, enjoyed a ‘ride’ at Riverside Park, during the PI Elks’ annual picnic July 5.
Photo courtesy of Alan Harding
MAINE MILITARY Authority personnel Cheryl and Sam Ouellette donated their time to give HumVee rides at Riverside Park during the Elks’ annual picnic July 5.
Photo courtesy of Alan Harding
JOHN JALBERT is pictured with his award-winning cars, a 1943 Ford Deluxe Coupe and a 1950 Studebaker.
Photo courtesy of Alan Harding
JIM CHANDLER RECEIVED Best of Show for his 1967 Corvette during the Elks’ July 4th bash at Riverside Park.
FIDDLING AROUND — Donald Soucier, at right, on fiddle, and Peter Parker, on guitar, entertained the crowd during the PI Elks’ annual picnic at Riverside Park July 5.
HUNDREDS TURNED OUT at Riverside Park July 5 to take part in the Presque Isle Elks’ annual community celebration. Over 1,000 hotdogs
and 1,500 hamburgers/cheeseburgers were distributed to the hungry crowd, free of charge, as well as beverages, chips, watermelon and ice cream.
CALLIE JUNKINS, 3, daughter of Brock and Mel Junkins, of Presque Isle, plays one of the children’s games at Riverside Park July 5, as she and her family enjoyed the annual event hosted by the Elks.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
