Eastport celebrates flag-waving Fourth

In the early morning of July 4, Independence Day, the streets of Eastport seemed very quiet save for the coming and going of a few vehicles. The silence would soon be broken as the city's 48th annual flag-raising ceremony took place at the breakwater. There was a good attendance and two re-enlistments for the Navy crew of the U.S.S. Hawes. The day and its festivities had begun.

"Primarily, it recognizes our men and women in uniform," says Barbara Hicks, co-chairperson of the Eastport Fourth of July Committee, "[and] secondly, huge family and friend reunions, such as old Shead High School classmates."

Police Chief Matt Vinson speculates, by looking at the volume of vehicle traffic, that it was the biggest turnout for the Eastport Fourth of July. He estimates 15,000 to 20,000 people came to the festivities.

"Every year, I would say for the past 20 years, we always come to Eastport to celebrate the Fourth of July," says Matt McCarthy, a young man who marched with the Republican front during the Grand Independence Day Parade. "Most of my family's from Eastport, so we always come back and just enjoy everything going on C the pancake breakfast, the land sports, the parades, the fireworks. That's why we usually come, to spend time with the family and celebrate the Fourth of July."

From the beginning of the week up to July 4, there had been events for the week-long Old Home Week celebration with activities such as Tuesday's frisbee contest and bike races, Wednesday's Welcome Home Day, which saw the arrival of the Navy guided missile frigate, the U.S.S. Hawes, and Thursday's hypnotist show and the Torchlight Parade that followed the Moose Island Follies 2008 show at the Eastport Arts Center.

The Cobscook Bay Resource Center held a rib barbecue on July 1, which had country-style pork ribs, hot dogs, watermelon, lemonade and more. "It was very successful," says Will Hopkins. "We had a bigger turnout than last year, and it didn't rain. I think we served about 125 people."

On July 3 around 9 a.m., the Border Historical Society's auction had an attendance of 75 or so people. "It went very well," says Ruth McInnis. "We had a good auctioneer, Chris Gardner. We've had the auction a number of years, had items from local businesses, donated items, gift certificates and items on consignment."

Particularly inspiring was the reception for the U.S.S. Hawes crew on July 2. The reception provided a large variety of local foods made from blueberries and cranberries, salads and smoked salmon. Events included cutting a special cake with the Navy ship's name written on it and a special plaque presented on behalf of the people of Eastport with much pride and honor to the Hawes crew in appreciation of their armed service personnel. "It was great!" says J. Roland Mitchell, co-chairman of the Eastport Fourth of July Committee. "A very good turnout, we filled all the chairs."

"They don't call it Old Home Week for no reason," says McCarthy. "Everybody comes back to where they grew up, and it's a great way to build community while celebrating your country. I think it's fantastic."

"It's just the atmosphere, you know, being on an island," says Jack Wilson, 22-year-old Eastport native and serviceman in the United States Air Force. "This town was bustling back in the day, and it was a tradition for the ship to come in and the town to get packed. And though most of the industry died, the tradition of coming to Eastport for the Fourth of July has always stayed, and that's what draws people."

"Of course traditionally it varies between the second and fifth," says Mitchell. "More people arrive. We were fortunate to have the U.S.S. Hawes in port. It makes for a good chance to show our appreciation to our servicemen and women."

One event that would not be overlooked in the festivities was the show put on by master hypnotist Steve Marino, who played his first Eastport gig. He put his volunteers through many funny and harmless situations, such as having them believe they were famous musicians, exotic dancers, and Martians speaking in their native tongue. But Marino assured that when they woke up they would feel absolutely rested and ready for more of the Eastport activities. "We have a great crowd here in Eastport," said Marino. "When you've been performing for awhile, after you're in front of the crowd for seconds, you get a feeling for what kind of crowd it is. I got the feeling as soon as I said the first words, I could see everyone was very attentive. They make a very warm, very welcoming crowd. I wish they were all like this."

Emma Holley, a young woman from Augusta in town to visit family for the celebrations, had never been hypnotized before. She was one of Marino's volunteers. "I never knew that could happen," said Holley. "I never knew that it worked! I don't really know what I did, but yeah it was fun. I can't wait to go home and hear what I did."

At dusk on Thursday evening came the Torchlight Parade. The parade, true to its name, was an entourage of people carrying blazing torches or glow-sticks attached to long wooden sticks. Folks had been encouraged to join in and be dressed up as anything they wanted, such colorful costumes or Scooby-Doo, pirates, a little girl dressed as the Statue of Liberty, a large Uncle Sam on a pole, folks riding tricycles, and others. Many adults, teenagers and small children, some in costume and some not, marched from the post office and down Water Street and headed toward the finishing point at Motel East in celebration of "100 years of fun."

But for the Fourth of July itself, the activities would start at the Eastport Municipal Airport for the association's annual blueberry pancake breakfast. "It was delicious," said Cyndi Amato. "And I loved the jazz breakfast that we had. We had the high school band playing there. The pancakes were perfect, and it was just wonderful."

The first parade of the day was the Calithumpian Parade (aka Parade of Horribles). The line formed at the post office, led by a police car and followed by a small entourage. The most notable costume crew was the Wizard of Oz bunch, one member of which carried a sign that read "There's no place like home except for Eastport on the 4th!"

Next were the land sport events held on Water Street. The events were races for boys and girls of different age categories for the 50-yard dash, sack race, three-legged race, and the 100- and 200-yard dashes. And of course there was the traditional Penny Scramble for the children present, an activity sponsored by the Craig family in memory of Reid F. Craig. For this event, pennies, candies and colorful prizes were tossed from the second floor windows above the Dancing Dogs Pottery and Art establishment.

Shortly after was the water sport event, the greasy pole, held at the breakwater. The goal is to try to walk across the pole, which is greased over, and grab a flag at the end. If a person grabs the flag they win a prize; if they don't, they fall in. Among those lucky to grab the flag was Sean McNiff. "It was cold and fun," said McNiff. "I do it every year."

Open all day were vendor stands devoted to food, entertainment and other wares like stock-car racing, ice-cream, fried dough and funnel cake, Italian sausage, pulled pork barbecue, smoothie drinks, crafts and clothing items and more. There was not a hungry soul that day, or any other day the vendors were open for business.

There was the 30th annual Buddy Allen Car, Truck and Bike Show, the climbing wall, pony rides, the "Walk Down Memory Lane," in which folks could meet up with old classmates and friends and reminisce, a public crabmeat and assorted sandwich luncheon at the Eastport Senior Center, the annual blueberry pie eating contest at Overlook Park, which proved quite messy for those who participated, St. Mary's band in concert at the IGA parking lot, also the Inkas Wasi South American music and parade bands could be heard in the Water Street area.

A big draw was Mike Bravener doing a marvelous impersonation show of Elvis Presley. With spot-on vocals, dance moves and style of the late King of Rock and Roll, Bravener proved he was certainly no "hound-dog cryin' all the time." In the finale of his act, Bravener sang "The Last Farewell," feeling it a special thing to do on the Fourth of July in tribute of the people of Eastport who had loved ones overseas serving their country. The audience, especially the ladies, were very pleased with Bravener's performance. "I've been goofing around with Elvis I think all my life," says Bravener. "But I've been doing it professionally now for going on six years. They've invited me now three years in a row to take part in the activities, to sing on the stage and then be in the parade as well."

Then came the Grand Independence Day Parade. All floats and marchers started from Staniels Road and proceeded down Washington Street. As beautifully colorful and excellently loud as to be expected, the theme was "Eastport: America's Home Port," and the prizes for first, second and third place prizes were awarded to Ross Furman, the Boyden Lake Association and Barbara's School of Dance. Clowns, Anah Shriners in go-carts, fire trucks, marching bands, Tigger, old-fashioned vehicles, political supporters and military servicemen and women past and present marched or drove proudly in view of the public.

"My favorite activity is the parade," says Jack Wilson. "It's when the town is most packed; it's when it's most alive."

Then at dusk came the finale of the day's celebrations C the annual fireworks show. It did not matter what part of Eastport people were in, if they were at the waterfront on the docking areas or on the rocky shore, anyone who paid attention could see the display. It was a spectacular arrangement. For nearly a half hour, color shone brilliantly in the sky in exciting bursts of red, orange, green, gold, silver and more while they curved or seemingly spread apart like dust. Shouts of cheer could be heard anywhere among the viewing public. Each time it seemed to be the finale of the display, complete with sudden repeated concentrated bursts, the crew would continue providing the public with more of the smaller ones. Not long after the display, more fireworks began to go off behind the waterfront.

"On a scale from one to ten, I would say ten," says McCarthy. "Eastport has the best celebration anywhere in Washington County, that I know of."

Things went smoothly, according to Chief Vinson. There were a lot of policemen on duty with no serious incidents, save for four vehicles towed.

Mitchell was proud for both his service to the country and his role in the planning committee for the Eastport Fourth of July and Old Home Week celebration. "I get a lot of satisfaction from planning," says Mitchell. "[I] don't get bored or tired with it. I've always loved parades and activities."

"I'd just like to say a special thanks to those who made the whole Fourth of July celebration possible," says Hicks.

"I come every year," says Holley. "It's always a blast and I always come back."