By Tim Badgley
The long-held tradition of Bristol firefighters squirting kids on the sidelines of the Olde Bristol Days parade in Pemaquid was not abandoned Aug. 9. (Tim Badgley photo) |
Favored by bright, sunny skies, Olde Bristol Days once again descended on the Pemaquid peninsula, featuring its many traditional events and a number of brand-new attractions from Aug. 7-10.
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Budding lemonade entrepreneurs Sydney Lowe (left), of Williamsburg, Va., and Samantha Chappell, of Boston, take advantage of a prime corner location during the Olde Bristol Days parade Aug. 9. (Tim Badgley photo) |
In early May the annual Olde Bristol Days parade and events held at Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site were in danger of being canceled due to a lack of volunteers and funding.
Stepping into the breach were Sheila McLain and Laurie Mahan, who volunteered as coordinators to save the events. The two rallied dozens of volunteers to ensure that as many of the traditional events were retained as possible.
“The volunteer efforts were incredible,” Bristol Town Administrator Kristine Poland said. “I can’t begin to name all the people who were involved in making the day such a success.”
Stepping off at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, the annual Olde Bristol Days parade proceeded down its 1.5-mile path southbound on Route 130 from the site of the former Samoset Restaurant onto Snowball Hill Road, ending at Fort William Henry.
Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies led the parade, with fire trucks from the Bristol Fire Department and surrounding towns bringing up the rear.
Floats competed for a top cash prize of $100, which was awarded to Harbor Day Care, of Pemaquid, for its entry entitled “Trapped at Day Care,” featuring kids inside a huge lobster trap set on a flatbed trailer.
Runner-up cash prizes of $50 each were awarded to the floats entered by C.E. Reilly & Son and Pemaquid Point Campground, both located in New Harbor.
Among the parade watchers were children armed with squirt guns and water, waiting to do battle with Bristol firefighters, similarly outfitted with water cannons attached to backpack reservoirs.
Screams of delight were heard all along the parade route as the playful water exchange chased kids back onto lawns and down the street.
McLain, who led the parade committee for the 2013 Olde Bristol Days, said that all the volunteers, both for the parade and the events at Fort William Henry, did a magnificent job.
“I can’t say enough good things about our many volunteers,” McLain said. They all were a pleasure to work with.”
McLain was not short on praise for many others who led or coordinated the many events and activities at the fort, including Bristol Fire Chief Paul Leeman Jr., for leading his firefighters in the parade and running the slip-and-slide attraction on the Colonial Pemaquid grounds.
“Laurie Mahan and her assistant Jessica Ford did a wonderful job of dreaming up and creating more than a dozen different games for kids to play,” McLain said.
The games, held on the lawn between the Fort William Henry tower and the Colonial Pemaquid Museum, included several obstacle courses, toss games, and other kid-friendly games of skill.
“We had a good turnout,” McLain said. “I was very pleased.”
McLain said 26 crafters exhibited and sold their wares under a half-dozen tents alongside six food vendors during the two-day event at the fort Aug. 9 and 10.
Judy Wasson, of Garden Cottage Baskets in Thomaston, demonstrates the 17th-century method of cutting and stripping black ash for basket weaving during Olde Bristol Days at Fort William Henry in Pemaquid Aug. 9. (Tim Badgley photo) |
Olde Bristol Days kicked off Thursday, Aug. 7 at Pemaquid Beach Park with the traditional chicken barbecue hosted by Bristol Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Gordon Benner and fellow Commissioners Sandra Lane and George Sawtelle.
Pete Collins’ Jazz Band performed at the barbecue, the first of five bands to play during the four-day event.
Throughout the day on Saturday, Aug. 9, live music was provided at Fort William Henry by three different bands: Bristol Rocks, The Barb Demo Band, and the Montsweagers.
That evening, The Katahdin Valley Boys played at Pemaquid Beach Park, taking a rest during the annual fireworks display.
New this year to Olde Bristol Days were the pie-eating contest, a vintage car show, and model boat races. The Friends of Colonial Pemaquid also sponsored a 17th-century-style encampment with exhibitors showcasing the skills of both civilian and military life of that time period.
The Lincoln Academy girls soccer team held a pie-eating contest, which raised $176. Soccer team captain Ashley Mason, who coordinated the event, awarded the first prize of two free meals at the Pemaquid Beach snack shack to Bristol firefighter Allen Spinney.
The first annual Jerry Farrin Model Lobster Boat Races were the brainchild of Walpole resident Brent Benner, who coordinated races in four different boat classes and one speed trial at the public landing in New Harbor. Best in show was awarded to Claws, owned by Bill Dunn, of New York.
Another first-time event was the vintage car show, hosted by New Harbor resident Jeff Friedman at the Bristol Consolidated School.
“I hit my goal of 20 entrants for our first year,” Friedman said. “I’m very gratified and look forward to hosting this again next year.”
Results of the annual Al Sproul 10-K race and the Merritt Brackett Lobster Boat Races, longtime features of Olde Bristol Days, are reported elsewhere in this edition.
Both Poland and McLain said the services provided by park ranger and manager Jocelyn Duffy were invaluable in overseeing parking and ensuring the safety of people at Fort William Henry alongside the LCSO deputies.
Poland said, “Olde Bristol Days was a success. Everybody worked very hard on it.”
