Eastport Fourth celebration not deterred by rainy weather
Despite inclement weather, Eastport's Fourth of July was celebrated with tenacity, stout rain gear and a positive attitude. Whitney Vinson, co-chair of the Fourth of July Committee, says that given the weather "it went fairly smoothly."
Despite inclement weather, Eastport's Fourth of July was celebrated with tenacity, stout rain gear and a positive attitude. Whitney Vinson, co-chair of the Fourth of July Committee, says that given the weather "it went fairly smoothly." The rain may have cut back on some events and attendance, but those events that were held and the people who showed up to celebrate had a good time.
"It was a very memorable Fourth," Vinson adds, and "a lot of people had fun in the rain," and surprisingly a number of those having fun were in the Grand Parade where there was no hiding from it unless riding in a vehicle. "We knew the year wouldn't be 100%" because the pandemic made planning a challenge, given the changeable nature of the state guidelines. A huge debt of gratitude goes to all those who helped, she says.
With Saturday featuring more mist than rain, the parade of children ages 2 to 4 taking part in the Little Mr. and Miss 4th of July competition brought some sunbeams to the proud families waving from the audience. Boys and girls embraced a range of styles, some sticking to formal wear, some to the everyday, and some balancing in unique ways between the two. The fashionable turnouts did not always go hand in hand with the presentation skills, with some youngsters striding confidently to the emcee and microphone, others refusing to leave the comfortable parental embrace, and some striking out confidently but then making a mad dash for the parents in the wings. All in all it was a satisfying morning for all involved.
Later in the afternoon the stage was set with the Miss 4th of July contest with age groups from 5 to 8, 9 to 13 and 14 to 18. There was a preponderance of formal wear, ranging from full flounce to the simple summer dress, but a few iconoclasts brought a contemporary edge to the proceedings with pantsuit and jeans. At the microphone some did whirls and waves and, depending on age, were able to discuss their favorite elements of the 4th of July knowledgeably or with a little help. Most were firmly of the opinion that being with family and friends was the best part of the holiday, a stance that was hard to argue against, especially with the pandemic's tailwind still blowing.
A little bit later the pets took over with the usual assortment of cute and cuddly, nervous and noble and all the other ranges -- including a pet rat -- that the animal kingdom is pleased to present when on stage.
Over at StudioWorks, where drop in art activities took place during the afternoon, children visited different table stations of craft supplies and inspiration. Flag making was particularly popular, involving intense concentration to decide upon the design, colors and more. One little girl gave it a good five minutes of contemplation -- while her brother roared ahead -- and then took up her markers and began creating at a good clip. Over at the muffin tin fireworks station, another youngster was more intent on using the paper and pipe cleaners to create a three dimensional work of art than following the model on the wall. Parents were hit with the creative bug, too, using the props over by the flag display to take goofy selfies while their respective children and grandchildren pursued more serious matters.
The bike races held on Deep Cove Road in the afternoon had 15 participants, about half the normal run, said race organizers, but those who did participate gave it their all. Parents and friends waited at the head of the road by the fire station, chatting until the first bicyclist was sighted rounding the bend in the distance. One parent couldn't stand the suspense, took off on his own bicycle and eventually returned peddling alongside one of the youngsters. The last hill at the finish line was a grueling end to the race, with just about all participants grim with determination, whether peddling or walking their unwilling bike for the last yard.
On Sunday the rain began in earnest, but in the dry and comfortable hangar at the annual blueberry pancake breakfast everyone was kept dry as they listened to music and chatted with friends.
There was a momentary reprieve in the rain for the start of the greasy pole competition at the breakwater -- even though participants were going to get wet anyway. A number of different ages tried their luck without success, although one older teen got close to the flag but just missed grabbing it before slipping into the bay to audience groans and applause. One youngster started out, then backed off and let someone else go ahead of her. Getting her technique and courage in order, she then proceeded. Light on her feet and using her arms masterfully for balance, she made it to the end, elegantly plucked the flag free and plunged into the chilly bay. Wild applause rang from those standing above, and when she was helped out of the water and onto the dock and held aloft more applause showered down. As did the rain, which brought a gradual end to the competition but a quick end to the audience's participation.
Barbara McPhail reports that a few brave souls weathered rain showers and wind to watch the Rubber Ducky Race -- another contest in which the participants got wet, rain or not, although they all seemed to enjoy it, unlike the audience. For safety purposes, it was decided not to conduct the race in its traditional fashion of launching a skiff and running heavy ropes from the fish pier to the WaCo pier to create the race course, but to set up a small wading pool on the downtown stage and release the duckies into its calm, shallow water. The duckies appeared to be pleased with the venue. Elovie Cummings of Jacksonville, Fla., plucked three random ducks from over 320 contestants to determine the winners.
No rain was going to dampen the Doll Carriage, Wagon, Bike and Trike Parade. While the parade of children riding their favorite wheels might have been a bit thinner than years past, it was made up for by sheer pluck and the appreciative audience, who braved the elements to cheer them on. Some entrants had parents gamely holding umbrellas over their tiny heads and giving an occasional guiding steer or nudge, while others were of an age to dispense with support teams and sailed forth with confidence, parents hovering in the wings. Some pedaled and steered in rain gear, and some in soaked costumes, but not a single note of complaint was heard or seen as they splashed their way through the downtown.
Not to be outdone by children, the Grand Parade at 2 p.m., with the theme "Happy Belated 200th Birthday, Maine," was loud and proud, with emergency vehicles honking, wailing and otherwise splitting eardrums, while dispensing handfuls of candy to the children lined along the street. Those who marched with flags were rain drenched and received appreciative applause for their effort. Vintage cars, corporate tractor-trailers, educational institutions and a few floats rounded out the parade, with satisfied viewers of all ages hugging the sidewalks and alcoves with more umbrellas on view than the island city has probably seen in years. As one bystander was heard to say, it made him proud to see people making the effort to celebrate this country's Independence Day when the weather wasn't easy.
The rain quit just in time for the fireworks, and a fine show it was, with many more people coming out of the woodwork as the skies cleared to view the spectacle.