Lubec bicentennial honors history and looks toward future

To paraphrase from the Good Book: What hath Lubec's bicentennial wrought? Answer: town prospects for a bright future, for sure.
Newcomers are opening small businesses. Established firms are doing well. Tourists are coming in mega multiples. National media are praising the town's unique natural heritage of landscape, seascape and unharmed greenery.
From Lubec's 200th birthday party on June 21 at the school to the official 7 p.m. wind-up concert on July 9 at Crow Town Gallery, Lubec's people, volunteers and organizations have worked miracles. They have created a celebration certain to provide long shadows of benefit.
Through the two weeks and more of festivities, residents and visitors alike have flocked to events that included art, photo and history exhibits, music presentations, barbecues and bazaars. They featured prize-winning local Downeast talents, showcased in activities from boatbuilding to theater, sports to handicrafts. Even scholar-led stargazing was available. Passamaquoddys scheduled an outdoor evening of traditional song and dance.
Bargains surfaced in sales at the library celebrating the 10th anniversary in its downtown locale with a free video showing of old-time Lubec photos. Friends of Jazz in Lubec celebrated its own 10th year of benefit performances for the library. West Quoddy Head celebrated its 10th annual Lighthouse Day that drew crowds to its famed candy-striped lighthouse, flagging Lubec as the nation's easternmost town. Not to be outdone, Campobello Island, which had sponsored an early golf tournament for the bicentennial, later urged all to join in celebrating Canada Day, July 1.
In addition to anniversaries, more special occasions vied with the bicentennial for attention.
Living history unfolded as children as rebels with toy guns invaded an encampment of uniformed Yankee soldiers to re-enact scenes of the Civil War C a war in which many Lubeckers died. After portraying simulated battle encounters, encampment participants verged to a lighter tone. They offered media representatives visiting the site a pass signed by U.S. Army Lt. Paul Dudley. It offered permission to explore "Fort Lubec" in the "Army of the Potomac" and parole for each recipient from any recrimination to "give aid or comfort to the enemy."
U.S. Senator Susan Collins keynoted the Independence Day program of speakers at Monument Park that included Maine Rep. David Burns and Bill Daye, chairman of the board of selectmen. All gave high praise to the bicentennial program and its positive impact on Lubec's future growth. Three people attending had ties to Lubeck, Germany, considered by some to have inspired Lubec's name because of similar geography and former marine dominance.
Still more events crisscrossed the birthday period with details of Lubec's role in U.S. history.
A poignant remembrance ceremony of Lubec's lost fishermen was held at the site planned for a memorial statue. Boston's New England Aquarium presented a talk, with life-size effigy accompaniment, on the whales that tour the coastal areas of Lubec and Campobello.
The Lubec school's program involving a day of games was further highlighted by three evening performances of a true Lubec story. The Downeast Gold Rush, adapted by Lubec's late playwright and actress Dorothy Blanch, dealt with a real scam of the late 1890s but treated it as a comedy/drama with music.
On July 3, the bicentennial calendar was especially filled. It included a pet show, doll carriage parade, a Minute To Win It contest a la TV, plus an open house hosted by Charter Boat Tours, and Crow Town Gallery's showing of a movie about artist Hyman Bloom.
Lubec branch of Bar Harbor Banking & Trust Company served bountiful food for its Customer Appreciation Day. Still more great eating and exploring was offered on Water Street's food and crafts day, which included art gallery walk-ins and an international Knit-In-Public Day. West Lubec Methodist Church made life merrier, tempting all with large bowls of its fish chowder. Other local churches served meals at different time frames, and the Lubec Masonic Lodge also fed everyone heartily with varied barbecues.
A week-long exhibit, focused on works of local area artists, and silent auction finale on July 8 are highlighted at the Lubec Grange.
Although the friendly Downeast fog rolled in to rule out fireworks on July 3, the equally often friendly Downeast weather will surely banish disappointment. It must prove that even the heavens are pleased by the bicentennial. And so the night of July 8 is bound to blanket the sky with gorgeous fireworks entwined amid the stars.