Fourth to make big splash
A hypnotist show, new and traditional competitions, the premiere of a puppet show, lots of music and food, and a visit from a U.S. Navy ship are some of highlights of this year's Independence Day and Old Home Week celebration from Tuesday, July 1, through Monday, July 7, in Eastport.
"I'm excited about this 4th of July celebration. I think's it's going to be a lot of fun," says Barbara Hicks, co-chairman of the Eastport 4th of July Committee. "I think, with the price of gas, people don't want to travel, so we'll get a lot more in-state visitors."
"The 4th of July Committee has a great program for all C family, guests and friends," stresses co-chairman J. Roland Mitchell. "It's your celebration, so don't hesitate to give the committee a helping hand or chip in any way you can to help."
Activities on July 1 include a frisbee contest at 12 noon in Library Park. Bike races from the Boat School to the firehouse will begin at 3 p.m., and an old-fashioned country rib barbecue will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cobscook Bay Research Center at the head of the breakwater.
"Be on the breakwater, fish pier or walkway on Wednesday, July 2, at 12 noon to watch for the arrival of the U.S.S. Hawes," says co-chairman Mitchell. "Welcome Commander Kristin Jacobsen and the fine officers and crew to the Port of Eastport, Maine. We are proud of our armed forces and especially honored to welcome them as our guests."
Wednesday, July 2 is "Welcome Home Day." Overlook Park will be the place to watch the kids' cupcake decorating contest at 10 a.m., the watermelon eating contest at 11 a.m., and Little Mr. and Mrs. 4th of July contest at 1 p.m. Old movies of Eastport cannery workers at work will run at the Eastport Arts Center (EAC) at 2:30 p.m. A new show by the Peregrine Puppets is scheduled at the EAC at 3 p.m. and will include songs penned by Linda Sisson such as "Morning Glory" and "A Downeast Kind of Girl."
Also on July 2 will be the Shead Memorial High School's Class of 1973 35th reunion at Seaview Campground, beginning at 4 p.m, which is also time the pet show starts at Overlook Park. Adults and youngsters are welcome to compete in the talent show scheduled for 5 p.m. at Shead High School. An open house and reception will begin at 5 p.m. at the Tides Institute & Museum of Art to celebrate its exhibition, "Collectors' Worlds: Selected Loaned Works."
The public is urged to attend the 6 p.m. reception for the officers and crew of the U.S.S. Hawes at the Eastport Youth Center. Downtown in Overlook Park, the University of Maine at Machias Ukulele Band will perform at 6 p.m. A new contest, Big Wheel races, begins at Cummings Garage at 7 p.m.; operators must drive them down to Overlook Park. And the final event on Wednesday is also in Overlook Park. It's a limbo competition, which will begin at 8 p.m.
The Maine Powerchute Association fly-in will be held all day on July 3 and 4 at the Eastport Municipal Airport. This year's event will include some ultra-light trikes, which are similar to powerchutes except for having a fixed triangular fabric wing instead of the chute. A Flying Boat has also been invited to the fly-in.
Events on Thursday, July 3, include a breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Christ Church Institute on Key Street. The kids' one-mile fun run begins at 9 a.m. at the Boat School and ends at the Dead River Company parking lot on Key Street. The annual Quoddy Maritime Museum auction starts at 9:15 a.m. downtown, and the Tiny Tots Fair will be held on the library lawn, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The Walk Down Memory Lane, a collection of photographs at the Eastport 4th of July Information Center at 22 Washington Street, will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both July 3 and 4. Author Victoria Kent will hold a writing workshop for youngsters ages 7 to 12 at the EAC starting at 11 a.m. The Miss 4th of July contest at Overlook Park begins at noon, and the strawberry shortcake sale at Peavey Memorial Library starts at 1 p.m. as does a concert by Lighthouse Jubilee in library park.
Military veterans who want to board the U.S.S. Hawes are invited for a special visit on the afternoon of July 3. They are asked to be at the security station on the breakwater at 1 p.m. for the start of the tour.
The firemen's muster will be held at 2 p.m. on Water Street, where you can also watch or compete in the codfish relay race at 3:30 p.m. Teams must be composed of four members. Glory Bound will perform gospel music in library park at 5 p.m, which is also the starting time for the SMHS Class of 1948 reunion at the Blue Iris and the SHS Class of 1998 reunion at the Eastport Chowder House. At 6 p.m., the SMHS Class of 1938 will meet at Seaview Campground, the SMHS Class of 1958 will hold its reunion at the American Legion Hall, the SMHS Class of 1968 will get together at the Eastport Chowder House, and the SHS Class of 1988 will hold its 20th reunion at the Pickled Herring.
If you're not a member of the aforementioned classes, stop up to Shead High School at 7 p.m. to watch "Amazing Hypnotist" Steve Marino's show. This is the Boston-based performer's first visit to Eastport, and one of the few events where an admission will be charged. The Moose Island Follies, which also charges admission, will be held at the EAC at 7 p.m. on both July 3 and July 5. Old Timers'/New Timers' Night begins at 8 p.m. in the Knights of Pythias Hall, and the torchlight parade starts at dusk. Participants will begin at the post office and end at the Motel East.
The 232nd Independence Day, July 4, will be celebrated at sunrise with a flag-raising at the breakwater. The annual blueberry pancake breakfast will be held out at the airport from 7 to 11 a.m., and Barbara Hicks says the Shead High School Band will be providing music for at least part of the morning. The "parade of horribles", better known as the Calithumpian Parade, will begin outside the post office at 8:30 a.m. Land sports start at 9 a.m. in downtown Eastport with a penny scramble to follow. Water sports can be found at the breakwater, beginning at 10 a.m., which is also the start of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary open house there. The Buddy Allen car, truck and bike show opens at 10 a.m. in Bank Square, and the blueberry pie eating contest starts at 11 a.m. in Overlook Park. Crabmeat and other types of sandwiches can be purchased at the Eastport Senior Citizen Center, beginning at 11 a.m., and that is the time fish chowder will begin being served at the Christ Church Institute. If you're in the neighborhood of the IGA, you can listen to St. Mary's Band play there in the parking lot at 11 a.m.
The Doll Carriage, Wagon, Bike and Trike Parade forms at the post office at noon and proceeds down to Bank Square. Popular Elvis impersonator Mike Bravener performs at Overlook Park at 12:15 p.m., and the parade bands will present concerts in library park at 1 and 4 p.m., before and after the Grand Independence Day Parade. There will also be a military fly-over at about 2 p.m.
"Eastport: America's Home Port" is the theme for the Grand Independence Day Parade, which begins at 2 p.m.. The Pan Coalition, High Energy Steel Band will perform at 5 p.m. at Overlook Park. Inka Wasi will be playing South American music at the Winifred B. French Memorial Park outside The Quoddy Tides office all day. Barbara's School of Dance students will perform at Overlook Park from 6:30 p.m. until dusk, which is when the fireworks display will brighten the skies over Passamaquoddy Bay.
On Saturday, July 5, registration for the Charles E. Davis 7CMile Race will be held from 7 until 8:30 a.m. at Shead High School. The run begins at Perry corner at 9 a.m, and the 4Cmile walk starts at Carlow Island.
A volleyball game between the U.S.S. Hawes team and a local team will begin at 4 p.m. at Shead High School, followed at 6 p.m. by a basketball game between the ship's team and a local team. Spectators are welcome, and refreshments will be served.
The 195th Maine Army National Guard Band will perform on Monday, July 7, at the Eastport Arts Center at 7 p.m.
A craft fair and many vendors will be in downtown Eastport on July 2, 3, 4, and 5.
In case of rain, outdoor events will be held at Shead High School.