By Dominik Lobkowicz
Amber Klawikowski (second from left), 11, and Aidan Eastman, 11, both of Chelsea, try to take a spinning plate from “Scrappy.” Marjean Goulet, who performs as Scrappy, and her husband, John or “Too Cute,” live in Florida but come up to stay at their camp in Readfield. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
The annual Somerville Day held Aug. 9 drew around a hundred people, tempting them with entertainment and food, chances on cakes, raffles, and a silent auction, or just to commune with neighbors in one of the county’s smallest towns.
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Hannah Dancer, 5, shows off a disguise sticker she got from clowns “Scrappy” and “Too Cute” at Somerville Day. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
The sunny day had a bit of a slow start with only about five people attending the Cecil Brann Annual Stroll at the nearby forest named for Brann and his wife, Virginia, but finished strong at the evening’s fireworks show, according to Peggy Dostie.
Dostie, the Somerville Day Committee’s treasurer, said quite a few people showed up for the fireworks, beating out last year’s showing. Delta Chase, the communications liaison for the committee, estimated around 40 to 50 people just at the fireworks show.
“I was surprised at the number,” Dostie said.
The bulk of the day’s events were held in the gym at the former Somerville School, where residents and visitors gathered to eat, share in the festivities, and take their chances at the cake walk and dozens of raffle items.
The hijinks of clowns “Too Cute” and “Scrappy” – John and Marjean Goulet, respectively, of Readfield and Florida – were a big laugh with the kids, as they fooled around with spinning plates, balloons, stickers, and various gags.
Four kids participated in a scarecrow costume contest, and the two pairs took home the two cash prizes.
Grace and Hannah Dancer, ages 11 and 5, took first and split a $50 prize; Amber Klawikowski and Aidan Eastman, both 11 and from Chelsea, split a $25 prize.
While a celebration, Somerville Day is also a fundraiser. After expenses the day raised about $800, Dostie said. Last year the day netted nearly $600.
“The grill went for $175,” Dostie said of the event’s silent auction. “We did pretty well on that.”
No decision has been made yet on how the committee will spend the day’s proceeds, but another Trunk ‘n Treat event at Halloween this fall or a holiday dinner are being considered, Dostie said.
“We’re thinking about it, we haven’t set anything yet,” she said.
There may be some decisions made about the event itself, too. Chase said Somerville Day may move to the fall for 2015 to avoid competing with other events in the area.
“There were six or seven major festivals right around us the same day,” Chase said. “I think we’re going to avoid that conflict again.”
Hannah Dancer, 5, (left) and Grace Dancer, 11, (center) took first prize in the scarecrow costume contest at Somerville Day. The girls, billed as The Dancing Scarecrows, swayed with big sunflowers during judging. The girls’ grandmother, Donna Dancer, holds their younger brother, six-month-old Benjamin, on the right. All four Dancers are from Somerville. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
