Sunny skies greet visitors for Fourth of July celebration

"Great weather, a long holiday weekend and, especially, the arrival of the U.S.S. De Wert made for an incredible Fourth of July this year." Barbara Hicks, who co-chairs the Eastport Fourth of July Committee with J. Roland Mitchell, is summing up the feelings of many other people who were in Eastport for Old Home Week, July 1 through July 5.
"It was an exceptional Fourth of July and was a success for several reasons," agrees Mitchell. "Number one, Mother Nature did something she hadn't done in years. We had lots of sun. Number two, people participated in the different contests. Number three, the Navy C people really loved to have the sailors here."
"All of the events were well-attended and went off without hitch due to the work of scores of volunteers who make up the Fourth of July Committee," Hicks stresses. "We've already received a lot of positive feedback on the street and through our website from people who had a wonderful time and lost of comments on the fireworks display -- that it was the best ever!"
The good weather led many food vendors and attractions to set up shop on Wednesday night, so they could open on July 1, which is also when Canada Day was celebrated. In addition to the traditional events held on Deer Island Point, the international Canada Day sailboat race on July 1 was held under a beautiful blue skies and attracted six vessels that sailed from Eastport to St. Andrews.
Young and old entered or watched the frisbee contest and limbo competitions at Peavey Memorial Library Park, and bike races from the Boat School to the Eastport Fire Station attracted many young entrants.
Art enthusiasts could attend the "Terra Nova (Newfoundland): Contemporary Photographs by Thaddeus Holownia" exhibit at the Tides Institute & Museum of Art, the opening of the "Crowning Glory" exhibit of Christi Harris' artwork at the Eastport Arts Center (EAC) and a concert recital by pianist Greg Biss and violinist Trond Saeverud at the EAC.
The fourth annual old-fashioned country rib barbecue hosted by the Cobscook Bay Resource Center attracted a lot of diners for supper, and the official Canada Day celebration at Deer Island Point ended with a fireworks display that could be viewed from Eastport's Dog Island area.
On the sunny morning of Friday, July 2, the U.S.S. De Wert sailed into port, her sailors lined up on the deck. For those who were interested in seeing the area from above, Rick Brown began three days of offering flights from the Eastport Municipal Airport.
For the first of seven high school reunions, the Shead Memorial High School (SMHS) Class of 1960 started early at the Boat School. The Shead High School Class of 2000 and the Class of 1985 also got together that day. The popular kids' cupcake decorating contest once again attracted a lot of participants. Blakey Memorial Methodist Church held its first barbecue.
Ten contestants vied for the title of champion at Rosie's Hot Dogs first annual Hot Dog-Eating Contest. Joe Storey, the winner of the five-minute event, ate nine hot dogs and won $25. He helped his time by dipping the hot dog and roll into a large cup of water to soften the roll between bites. The other nine contestants consumed eight hot dogs apiece.
Rosie's hot dog-eating champion also entered the watermelon-eating contest that morning but only placed third in that event. The Little Mr. and Miss Fourth of July pageant for the cute two- to four-year-olds drew an appreciative crowd. That was followed by the pet show in which the a mini-dachshund won the cutest animal category.
Musical entertainment included a gospel concert to raise money for the Little Dana Bowen Community Park and live country music at Overlook Park. The annual public reception for the U.S.S. De Wert officers and crew was held at the Eastport Youth Center, and the first of the July 2 and 3 presentations of Moose Island Follies drew a full house at the EAC. Those not inside watching the Follies gathered on the top of Washington Street to watch this year's crop of Big Wheel participants barrel down and around the post office corner.
The events on July 3 began with the Kids' One Mile Fun Run, which attracted 46 youngsters. The Quoddy Maritime Museum auction was held outside the museum while, up at library park, the Tiny Tots Fair drew small participants and their proud parents. New royalty were crowned in the Miss Fourth of July, Little Miss Fourth of July and Junior Miss Fourth of July contests.
The afternoon's events featured the strawberry shortcake sale at the library, which attracted a long line of people down the Water Street sidewalk. Little Eagles and Glory Bound provided musical entertainment outside the library, while, down the street in front of Wadsworth's, mystery writer Sarah Graves autographed copies of her books. Those who wanted to be inside could watch the Northern Lights Film Society's screening of old films in the EAC, while outside events included the Firemen's Muster, in which the home team beat the U.S. Navy contingent. The adult category of the codfish relay was won by a team dubbed "Sagbutt."
Reunions on July 3 included SMHS Classes of 1955, 1965, 1975 and 1980, and anyone not associated with those classes could attend the a Zumba party, a hypnotist show, a rock concert, OldTimers'/NewTimers' Night or the Torchlight Parade. The luminaries planned for that evening were affected by a wind from the south, which caused some problems, so the event was halted. However, those luminaries that did float through the night sky were beautiful to watch.
The 50th annual flag raising at 4:47 a.m. on July 4 was attended by 15 early risers. Chris Mulcahy sang "The Star Spangled Banner," and Karen Spinney served as hostess.
Approximately 600 people attended the annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the Eastport Municipal Airport under sunny skies. There was live music, and once again the Civil Air Patrol cadets helped to bus and serve tables.
There were 14 entrants in this year's Callathumpian Parade, which was won by Justin Keezer and Sara Kelsey.
Spectators obeyed the "No Parking" signs along the parade route, including those who had to get to church on Washington or Key streets. Former pastor Rev. Paul Sullivan, S.J., now of Gloucester, Mass., was pleased to be back in Eastport and said Mass to a full house at St. Joseph's.
The annual land and water sports were held that morning, as well as the Penny Scramble, a tradition still enjoyed by youngsters. An open house was held by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for those who like boats, and for those who enjoy vehicles on land, the Buddy Allen Memorial Car Show broke a record with 64 registered entries.
The winner of the adult division of the annual blueberry pie-eating contest was, for the first time in many years, not Frank Lank of Perry. The new champion is Dale Bowen of Rumford.
Another of the traditional events, the Doll Carriage, Wagon, Bike and Trike Parade, drew many entrants and spectators to Bank Square.
Roland Mitchell estimates "over 8,000 people were in town" to watch the Grand Independence Day Parade. Led by emergency vehicles from both sides of the border, as well as a small contingent of marching Mounties, it included military veterans, sailors from the U.S.S. De Wert, bands, Shriners, clowns and floats. Mitchell marched the length of the parade with former Eastporter John Beckett. The two had joined the U.S. Marines after high school and served in Korea. Upon their return home in 1954, "fresh out of the service," they marched in that year's Independence Day Parade. This July 4, since he was coming "home" for the Fourth, Beckett asked Mitchell if he would march with him again so, 46 years later, the friends repeated the walk.
"It was fun," says Mitchell. "And, where we were in the parade, you could really hear the people applaud the sailors. They were thanking them all along the parade route."
The Republicans outnumbered the Democrats in the number of politicians who marched in the parade. Senator Olympia Snowe walked with her former chief of staff, State Senator Kevin Raye of Perry, and gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage shook lots of hands as did independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler and Jason Levesque, who is challenging Michael Michaud for the Maine District 2 seat in Congress. Democratic and Republican candidates for House seats also marched in the parade along with supporters.
South American music performer Inkas Wasi brought up the rear of the parade for the second year in a row, taking the late John Pike Grady's traditional spot.
Concerts throughout the day featured a variety of music, including Inkas Wasi, popular Elvis impersonator Mike Bravener, bagpipers, the Jubilee Singers and the steel drum band Pan Coalition. Entertainment was also provided by a Zumba fitness party and Barbara's School of Dance.
Last year's fireworks display had been cancelled because of the dismal weather, so some extra money was available for the July 4 fireworks at dusk. The many people who did not leave town after the Grand Independence Day Parade were not disappointed with the colorful display over the water.
It was an apt end to an enjoyable Old Home Week when a record turnout of 102 runners competed on July 5 in the Charles B. Davis Memorial Road Race from Perry corner to Eastport, and native Robert Ashby crossed the finish line first for the ninth time.
"The final day was [also] spent on the soccer field, where the local team squeaked out a 6-5 victory over the Navy," reports Barbara Hicks. "Before the game, Lt. Lumpkin, a soccer coach in his own hometown, worked on some skill building with the middle school kids. Then, after the big game, the Navy team tested those skills in a pickup game with the kids. There was a great turnout of spectators who seemed to be cheering for both teams."
"Then volleyball and basketball [games] topped off a fun-filled day."