Windham Summerfest returns June 22 for 34th year

By Kaysa Jalbert

Summerfest makes its way back to Windham on Saturday, June 22 taking on the theme “Summerfest Turns Back Time.” New to this year’s Summerfest is an updated parade route designed to give participants the best views and the best parade experience from start to finish.

The parade route for this year's Summerfest is different and
starts at noon June 22 from Stadium Drive at Windham Center
Road, proceeds up School Road, turns right onto Route 202
and finishes on the Windham High School grounds.
FILE PHOTO

This year’s Summerfest is a free event for everyone to enjoy live music and activities, to support local vendors and non-profit food booths, and is packed with many more features to bring the community together.

Parade floats will be based on this year’s theme. Float-makers can be as creative as they choose, but will be judged on specific criteria such as, best depiction of the 2024 theme, best depiction of Summerfest principle of “Bringing Unity to The Community,” most creative, most entertaining, and the judges’ choice.

The parade kicks off at noon on June 22 from Stadium Drive at Windham Center Road and will proceed up School Road to take a right onto Route 202. Staging areas will be at Public Works and Stadium Drive Parking lot. The parade finishes at 1 p.m. on the Windham High School grounds.

“We are excited about this new route and feel it will make it easier for our guests to enjoy every aspect of this exciting parade,” says Windham Summerfest committee co-chair Deb Matthews.

In addition to announcing the new parade route, Matthews said that this year’s Summerfest Grand Marshal will be Rich Drummond, the athletic director for RSU 14.

All the Summerfest booths will be open for the parade and continue into the evening. There will be community booths for local non-profits to share their good works, and the food booths operated by non-profits as a means of fundraising.

The Summerfest business expo is mostly local, and they provide fun activities for attendees while the crafter vendor area provides a wide variety of items for purchase.

“We have so many amazing sponsors that have provided us the ability to offer this event to our community for free,” said Matthews.

More fun and active features included will be a rock wall, two escape rooms, and an inflatable village.

For special guest entertainment, juggler Jason Tardy will perform and address topics such as what is bullying, the roles bystanders play in bullying, how to become an upstander and help fellow students, and what to do if you are bullied. He will also describe his own personal struggle with bullying and how he overcame it.

Other Summerfest performers will include a magician, balloon twisting, Mad Science, and tons of music. Musical performances include Jimmy Macisso playing on the Main Stage at 1 p.m., the Get on Up Band on the Main Stage from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Dave Debree performing on the George Hall Memorial Stage from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

An Amateur Radio Relay League will be appearing at this year’s Summerfest in which members from the Wireless Society of Southern Maine, WSSM, will be setting-up field day operations in the ballfields directly behind the main Summerfest event venue. Throughout the day and evening, anyone, young or old, is welcome to join the team of ham operators to learn more about Amateur Radio and participate in making radio contact with operators in other distant locations.

Summerfest 2024 will also host a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament that starts at 2 p.m. and is open to anyone between the ages of 5 and 18. In addition, the Golf Ball drop sponsored by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce will start at 5 p.m. To end the evening, fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. from the Main Stage.

“I feel all our events connect with our attendees. It is so important to the Summerfest Committee and me that we offer this to our community as a free family friendly event,” says Matthews. “I want your whole family to attend with you. I want you to spend the day, and if you cannot afford to spend any money pack a picnic lunch and relax. Watching the kids’ faces, seeing how happy the grandparents are to wave to grandchildren while they run and play, seeing Mom and Dad and the joy they get from these sweet moments.”

Every year presents a new challenge to the Summerfest Committee whether in booking all the acts or coordinating with the town, police, fire department and schools, or just hoping for good weather. According to Matthews, however, the biggest challenge remains in fundraising.

“We changed our sponsorship model last year and had great success,” she said. “We also keep an eye on the sky, fingers crossed and pray for sunshine.”

Matthews says the event will be full of vendors and booths and that annual public attendance for Summerfest runs between 2,500 to 4,000 people.

The Windham Summerfest Committee has been working on this year’s celebration since last June and its members include Deb Matthews, Tommy Matthews, Barb Maurais, Jacob Chouinard, Karen Rumo, and Camille Swander. <

Summerfest returns to Windham in a big way Saturday

Windham Summerfest launches with a
parade starting at noon Saturday, June
18 running from Lotts Drive to
Windham High School and the festivities 
end with fireworks about 9:35 p.m. 
Saturday evening. FILE PHOTO

By Ed Pierce

Summerfest is back and as Windham emerges from two years of scaled-back versions of the popular community event, this year’s festivities and activities promise to return some normalcy to the town following the pandemic.  

The daylong event at Windham High School kicks off with the annual Summerfest Parade starting at noon Saturday, June 18. The parade line-up begins at 11 a.m. with the route starting at Lotts Drive then running up Route 202 and ending in the WHS parking lot. Awards will be given for Best Depiction of the 2022 Theme: “Windham – Welcome Back,” the Best Depiction of Summerfest Theme: “Bringing Unity to the Community,” Most Creative, Most Entertaining and the Judge’s Choice. Award category winners will receive a $200 Visa gift card.

As Summerfest participants arrive at the high school grounds starting at noon, they’ll find a Car Show hosted by Yankee Cruisers AYAH. The car display runs through 5 p.m. and is open to everyone. There is no registration fee to display a car, but donations will be accepted with proceeds benefiting Riding to the Top of Windham. Car show awards will be presented at 5 p.m.

The annual 5K and 1-Mile Memorial Races will start at 7:45 a.m. Saturday at WHS in conjunction with Summerfest. Race, run, walk, or wheel in honor of veterans and in remembrance of Toby Pennels of Windham. For more information or to register to participate in the races visit runinarace.com/Tobysdream

There will be plenty of free entertainment, food, craft, and community booths open to the public through the day into the evening. Magician Phil Smith will be on hand throughout the festivities and there will be a community cornhole tournament, a photo booth and a free bounce house for children sponsored by The Refuge Church.

The TRAWL Band will perform on stage from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by the presentation of the Modern Woodmen Hometown Hero Award at 2 p.m. by Hannah McFarland and Matthew Neadeau.

There will be a K-9 demonstration by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department at 2:15 p.m. The Cryin’ Out Loud band takes the Summerfest stage from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by a demonstration by dancers from the Maine Dance Center at 4:30 p.m.

Cousin ITT sponsored by the Windham Legislative Delegation runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Winners for the Summerfest Scavenger Hunt and the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Golf Ball Drop will be announced at 7 p.m.

Golf balls are being sold by the Sebago Lake Chamber of Commerce for $10 each, with a total of 1,000 golf balls available. The golf balls will be dropped during Summerfest at 3 p.m. with the winner receiving 20 percent of the amount collected. If all golf balls are sold the winner would receive $2,000 cash. Additional prizes will also be awarded. Proceeds from the golf ball drop will benefit the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, its events and annual programs.

The Motor Booty Affair band takes the stage to perform from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and this year’s Summerfest will draw to a spectacular close with fireworks not to be missed at 9:30 p.m.

The Windham Summerfest Committee has been working on the event since last June and includes Ed Ohmott; Aaron Pieper; Barb Maurais; Tommy Matthews; and Committee Chair Deb Matthews. <

 

Creative 2021 Summerfest events encourage community participation for family fun

By Ed Pierce

As Windham residents slowly emerge from a year beset with the hardships and challenges of social isolation forced upon everyone by the global pandemic, the committee tasked with planning this year’s annual Summerfest celebration is hoping to be a launching point for the town to get back on track.

Summerfest kicks off in a modified version thanks to the uncertainty of the pandemic on Saturday, June 12 and runs through Saturday, June 19.

“The committee has been hard at work for a few months coming up with unique programming ideas that still promotes Windham’s community organizations and businesses while providing family friendly fun activities,” said Linda Brooks, Windham Parks and Recreation director.

Although 2021’s Summerfest may not be the extravaganza it’s displayed in past years, Brooks said the activities being planned are a perfect way for Windham residents to return some resemblance of normalcy while being mindful of their personal health and safety at the same time.

Things kick off Saturday with the start of the Scavenger Hunt and continue throughout the week with photo contests, the announcement of this year’s Summerfest Grand Marshal during a live televised Windham Town Council meeting on June 15, and an exciting Golf Ball Drop hosted by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, the Sebago Lake Rotary Club and Modern Woodmen of the World on June 19.

To participate in the popular Scavenger Hunt is simple and easy, Brooks said, with clues being available throughout the town during the week.

“Families can download the Scavenger app on their own with a map that will be published,” she said.

The selection of this year’s Grand Marshal pays tribute to a local resident who has made a significant contribution to unity in the Windham community. The announcement will be televised live on WCCG Channel 7 at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15.

The photo contest is multi-faceted with weekly categories ranging from “Best depiction of “Summertime in the Lakes Region;” to “Best depiction of the Summerfest theme;” to “Bringing Unity to the Community;” to “Most creative” presentation; “Most entertaining presentation;” and “Best youth entry for children 15 and younger.” Submissions are made on Facebook and will be displayed prominently online.

Lastly, the Golf Ball Drop promises to be a spectacular new way this year to draw Summerfest to an end.

During this special event, marked golf balls will be dropped by firefighters from the Windham Fire Department using a ladder truck.

The owners of the golf ball that falls closest to a designated pin will win a cash prize. Participants have until June 18 to purchase a golf ball for $10 each for the contest and the more people who participate, the larger the contest prize money will be.

“We will continue to promote the opportunity to purchase a golf ball for $10 a ball, and golf balls can be purchased right up until 5 p.m. June 18 so we have more time to get these sold,” Brooks said.

The 2021 Summerfest Committee is led by Deb Matthews and includes Tom Matthews, Barb Maurais, Liza Libby, Aaron Pieper, Kelsey Crowe and Linda Brooks.

For more information about Summerfest activities, call Deb Matthews at 207-756-9805 or Windham Parks & Recreation at 207-892-1905 or go to https://www.facebook.com/WindhamSummerfest or at the website https://windhamsummerfest.com/<

Virtual Summerfest celebrates Windham community and its heroes

By Elizabeth Richards

When it became clear that Summerfest couldn’t be held in the traditional way in Windham this year, the Summerfest committee got to work, converting it to a virtual event intended to unite the community.

“I want to thank those committee members who have stepped forward to manage all of the pieces of this virtual event – in many ways, doing it this way is more challenging, and I greatly appreciate the efforts made to still pull this off,” said Linda Brooks, director of Windham Parks and Recreation. “Saying it was canceled for 2020 was certainly an option that people would have understood, but this committee couldn’t accept that as their answer.”

Dave Bulger, a school bus driver for RSU14, has been honored
with the Modern Woodmen of America's Hometown Hero Award
for this year's Windham Summerfest celebration.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

A virtual event is not without challenges when everything must be managed remotely.

“Even the committee has been meeting via Zoom, and we miss the opportunity for face-to-face collaboration,” Brooks said, acknowledging that it’s a challenge to find “something for everyone” with a virtual event.

Another challenge is getting the word out to everyone in Windham, said Robin Mullins, co-chair of the committee.

“Not everyone has online access and there may be people that might just miss it.”  

The event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/WindhamSummerfest/.

The main goal for this year was to send a message that Summerfest is not gone, it just has a different look this year, Brooks said.

“The committee was still dedicated to the notion of bringing unity to the community at a time when people have not been able to get together in their usual ways,” she said.

Mullins said that even though Windham residents cannot physically be together, they can still have fun together and celebrate the wonderful community we are all so fortunate to be a part of.

“We also want to celebrate the fact that this year represents Maine's Bicentennial,” she said.

The online celebration includes a weekly photo contest, an opportunity to post photos of past Summerfest celebrations, presentation of the Modern Woodmen of America Hometown Hero Award, and a virtual 5K.

The Modern Woodmen of America’s Hometown Hero Award is presented each year to someone in the community that dedicates himself or herself to serving others. This year’s recipient, announced at the June 9 Windham Town Council meeting, is Dave Bulger, a bus driver for RSU14 who “goes above and beyond for his kids,” said Deb Matthews, co-chair of the Summerfest committee.

Bulger said he learned that he’d been named the recipient when a friend tagged him on Facebook saying thank you.  When he asked why, someone else commented that he’d been selected.

“I didn’t even know such a thing existed,” Bulger said. “I was really taken aback,” Bulger said.  “I didn’t really think I did anything special.”

Bulger began driving a van for the REAL school in 2013, where he really connected with the students.  After that program ended, he said, he wanted to stay with the district, so he got his bus driver’s license and took a job driving for RSU14. 

He took a short break a few years ago but missed his co-workers and the kids so returned to the job, “and I haven’t looked back since,” he said.

Bulger said he tries to meet kids where they are.  He also tries to make the bus ride fun, especially for the younger children.  Often, he said, he’ll use his “DJ Dave” voice to act like a tour guide as they travel on Route 302.

Bulger designs silly cards for the students for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and at the end of the school year. For the past couple of years, he said, he has included a card for a free ice cream at the Ice Cream Dugout, which allows him to give the kids a trea,t but also to be sure families have control over the sugar consumption.

“I try to make it special.  This year, I’m really saddened that I can’t do that because I’m not going to see them,” Bulger said.

The response and support from the community around the photo contest has been fun to see, said Barb Maurais, who has coordinated that aspect of Summerfest.

“Some of the themes have lent themselves to more participation, but we definitely are receiving photo entries each week,” she said.

“We are meeting our goal of reaching out to our community ~ our friends, family, and neighbors and we are adding anticipation, excitement, and, of course, weekly prizes,” Maurais said.

Photo Contest winners are determined by which photo receives the most “likes” on the Facebook Page.  The theme for June 13 to June 19 event is Celebrating Maine’s Bicentennial, and from June 18 to June 24 all Summerfest participants – organizations, nonprofits, businesses, community groups, vendors, crafters, parade participants, bands and performers – are invited to share their profile, website, information and services on the Summerfest Facebook Page.

The Virtual Windham Summerfest 5K will round out the celebration and raise money for the Windham Parks & Recreation Department. Rather than gathering in a group for the race, participants will register and then choose their own 5K route and run whenever they like over the weekend of June 20 and June 21.

Rather than a set registration fee, there are suggested donation amounts of $10 per individual or $30 for a family of four.  All are welcome to register, regardless of whether they are able to make a donation, and any donation amount is acceptable.

The first 75 participants to register will receive a T-shirt.  Donations will help the Parks & Recreation Department provide meals for senior citizens, craft kits to include in RSU14 Food4Kids backpacks, virtual family trivia nights, community-wide trail scavenger hunts, and grocery and food pantry delivery to senior citizens. Registration is at www.windhamrecreation.com.

Although fireworks are planned for a later date, it is dependent on the governor’s reopening plan, Mullins said, so no date has been selected. 

“As we wait for guidance from the CDC along with decisions about when these types of large group gatherings will be approved, we have been unable to solidify any plans regarding the fireworks,” Brooks said.

Sponsors for 2020 Summerfest are Hannaford Supermarkets, Landing Real Estate, Legal Leaf LLC, Shaw Brothers, and Walmart.  Summerfest committee members are: Robin Mullins and Deb Matthews (co-chairs). Tom Matthews, Barb Maurais, Liza Libby. Aaron Pieper, Karen Rumo, and Katie Varney. <

Windham launches new way to celebrate SummerFest, but event spirit remains

By Matt Pascarella

The good news: the Summerfest Committee is committed to having fireworks and a celebration at a later date, once it is safe to do so.

The other news: Last month, because of the pandemic, the Summerfest Committee made the decision Summerfest will be a virtual event held on the Summerfest Facebook page.

Previously known as Old Home Days, Summerfest has always been a great way for residents to celebrate Windham. This free, family-friendly event lets everyone gather to kick off the start of summer.

Due to Covid-19, public events of more than 50 people are prohibited into June, July and August under Governor Janet Mills’ timeline to reopen the state.

“We decided to err on the side of caution and try a virtual event,” said committee co-chair Robin Mullins.

The Windham Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to create a sense of community and unity through people, parks and programs. Like many of us, since the pandemic, the department has had to change the way they do things, but they haven’t stopped doing them. They are a profession dedicated to providing worthwhile activities for people’s leisure – even in these uncertain times.

Some of the event activities include:

• Hometown Hero award (sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America): Download the submission
form at www.windhamsummerfest.com. The deadline for nominations is May 29. Modern Woodmen Hometown Hero will be announced at the June 9 Town Council Meeting.

• Old videos and footage of past Summerfests: You can post to the Summerfest Facebook page or if you are not on Facebook, submit photos to Parks@Recreation@windhammaine.us – please provide your name and they will post your submissions on the Summerfest Facebook page

• Weekly photo contests

Leading up to Summerfest, there will be weekly themed photo competitions on the Summerfest Facebook page or email your submissions to Parks&Recreation@windhammaine.us. Please provide your name and they will post your photo on the Summerfest page.

photo contest Themes:

• May 16 to May 22 – Pets & Livestock

• May 23 to May 29 – Memorial Day – Honoring Our Veterans

• May 30 to June 5 – Windham’s Lawns, Gardens and Great Outdoors

• June 6 to June 12 – Windham Eagle Spirit Week

• June 13 to June 19 – Celebrating Maine’s Bicentennial

• June 18 to June 22 – Summerfest Participants Showcase: Past years organizations, nonprofits,
businesses, community groups, vendors, crafters, parade participants, bands and performers will be invited to share their profiles/websites/information on the Summerfest Facebook page.

• More to come

“The Summerfest committee is dedicated to working together to make this the best virtual event possible. It’s certainly not what we wanted, but it’s the hand we have been dealt,” said Mullins.

As always, the committee plans to give it their all.

“Summerfest’s mission is Bringing Unity to the Community,” said the liaison for vendors and crafts Barb Maurais. “The committee felt that it was important that we continue our Summerfest tradition and celebration even with the social distancing restrictions. Since we wouldn’t be able to gather, the 

Virtual Summerfest will be our way of bringing Windham residents together especially during the celebration of Maine’s Bicentennial.”

The weekly winner will be determined by the most “likes” on her/his photo and will receive a very special prize from Windham Parks & Recreation.

Would you like to get involved – from a safe distance? Please visit windhamsummerfest.com and reach out to any of the committee members or the Parks and Recreation Department for ways to help.

If you have questions please email: info@windhamsummerfest.com

And of course, follow Summerfest on Facebook for updates and ongoing coverage of the exciting  (and different) happenings. <

Windham Summerfest 2017 enjoys another successful year by Stephen Signor

While no one really knows how long the Summerfest has been celebrated, there was one person on hand who did shed some light on its history. Tom Tyler, who was working/helping at the Windham Republicans’ booth selling hotdogs, and who was involved in the original festival shared, “All Home Days, as it was called back then was started by the North Windham Fire Company and was held at the old Manchester Camp Ground. It was moved down where the Manchester School is now and then eventually where Home Depot is currently situated.”
 

After a few years of successful growth, the Windham Jaycees got involved, and this resulted in a joint venture of running Home Days for the next twenty years. “Unlike the Summerfest as we know it today, it was a five day event, running from Wednesday to Sunday. From there the summer celebration became the Lakes Region Salmon Festival, for what would be the last couple of years. As it continued to keep growing and as the fire company became busier and busier with its main cause, interest and attendance began to decrease and eventually it would close down. It wasn’t too many years that a decision was made to bring it here to the high school,” continued Tyler.

That being said, nothing says summer like a myriad of outdoor activities that includes music, games and of course, the unmistakable fragrance coming from numerous food vendors. All of this and much more could be found at one location last Saturday when the Windham High School hosted yet another Summerfest. On a day that began with overcast skies and despite the unpredictability of Maine’s weather, Windhamites ventured the short distance from the preceding parade to take part in this summer tradition. 

With 2017’s version of this community and town sponsored event under way, people of all ages were moved or otherwise coaxed by the musical antics of Flamin Raymond & Sizzlin Susan to engage in a hoola-hoop contest. Giving testament was Jen from Windham, who was there with her two children Laura age 5 and Callan age 2, who showed no hesitance in participating. “I didn’t have a choice in being a participant, he (Flamin Raymond) approached me” she said laughingly. 

The fun lasted throughout the day, with events that included but were not limited to: a frog jumping contest, corn-hole toss and the ever popular sack race. For music lovers there was no shortage of tunes to be moved by. The State Street Traditional Jazz Band got things going, but not before the special presentation to Windham High alumni and this year’s Grand Marshall, Samantha Frank. 

Frank graduated in 2014 where she exhibited her prowess as a wrestler on the varsity level. Now a nursing student, she continues to wrestle at the University of Maine where she is also currently on the Dean’s List. 

A special presentation also went to the Primary School Music Director, Nancy Cash-Cobb for her contributions to the department as Educator of the Year. On hand to present these awards were Senator Bill Diamond and District Five, Representative Patrick Corey.

As always, the carnival midway lured those adventurous enough to test their luck as well as their skills; and for children of all sizes - the rides. The Windham Parks and Recreation sponsored a half-price ticket booklet to the first 100 people to purchase a ticket booklet between the hours of 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Congratulations go to Chrystal Biggs, who was the winner of a free booklet drawn from among those 100 who posted to Facebook. 

Not far away was the Duane Clark Memorial Car Show to benefit Duane Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Windham Veterans Center. If looking at tricked out or classic vehicles was not of interest, there was also demonstrations occurring at the Windham Police Department K-9 Division and a martial arts demo by The Greater Portland School of Jakado.

Following no shortage of activities and an endless supply of refreshment provided by local business and charities, Summer Fest 2017 would culminate with the ever popular music of Motor Booty Affair, with an encore of the traditional epic fireworks display.

Celebrate summer the old fashion way at Windham Summerfest by Lorraine Glowczak

Mark your calendars and celebrate summer and community the old fashion way at the annual Windham Summerfest that will occur on Saturday, June 24 and will begin with a parade at 10 a.m. There will be entertainment, live music, vendors and activities for all members of the family to explore and enjoy. 
 

For many longtime residents, the Windham Summerfest brings back memories of their childhood and the summer celebrations of times past. “I remember Windham Old Home Days as a child,” stated Deb Matthews, Chair of the Summerfest Booth Committee. “I remember the family planning a day of fun filled events and seeing our neighbors. I want Summerfest to give the residents of Windham that same feeling. [It is] a safe, fun-filled day to enjoy family, friends and our community.”

Kelly Mank, Summerfest Organizer intends to bring back that old time feel of community. “The purpose of Summerfest is to bring the community together in a fun family like style,” Mank said. “It is an all ages event that is put on by the community for the community. One of the major goals is to offer non-profits the ability to raise money through selling food/crafts during the event.”

There will be a number of booths and vendors to enjoy and many craft stands to discover and shop. There will, of course, be plenty of food booths to fill every palette preference. Family fun games will also be included and will be comprised of activities such as sack races, egg toss, etc.

New to this year’s Summerfest is a Meet Our Community Leaders table so one can meet and have an opportunity to speak with those who serve the community in multiple ways.

Putting such a successful and annual community endeavor together does not come without a lot of hard work, effort and volunteers who give their time. There is always a need for help. “It’s never too late to offer help,” stated Robin Mullins, Summerfest Fundraising Chair. “There are always things to be done, even if it means preparing for next year. We are always looking for people to help us find new and fun ways to raise funds for this worthwhile community event.”

Funding this event takes effort as well. “The event costs over $30,000 each year and financial assistance from local families and businesses is crucial,” Mullins said. “People should be on the lookout for Summerfest jars in local businesses and other Summerfest fundraising events, and help in any way they can.

Despite the fact that it takes funding and determination to create a successful community gathering, the Windham Summerfest is a perfect way to spend the day with your family and members of your community by enjoying the entertainment, eating a variety of foods, purchasing from local vendors and ending it with an evening of firework excitement.

Matthews stated that her favorite part about Summerfest is observing everyone and realizing how much fun they are having. “I so enjoy watching the faces of the kids playing and then watch the faces of their parents and grandparents as they look on.” Mathews stated.

Much like an old fashion and family friendly community festival, the Windham Summerfest will

create memories of summer fun in future generations.

Mullins will always remember a few things about her experiences with Summerfest. “It’s the same for me every year - that moment when the fireworks go off,” Mullins said. “It’s at that moment Kelly [Mank] and I hug. We look around the field filled with people with eyes to the sky, and we say, ‘We did this!  We brought all of these people together to enjoy just one day of fun, entertainment and community.’  It’s really a great feeling and makes all of the hard work and stress so worth it!”

So, indeed, mark your calendars for Saturday June 24 to create memories of your own at this year’s Windham Summerfest. Bring a friend or two.

For an updated list of activities, check out the Windham Summerfest facebook page  or the website at www.windhamsummerfest.com for more information.

*The parade route will begin at Route 202 from the rotary and will travel to Windham High School with most gathering at the Windham Center & Route 202 intersection. <

Exquisite weater and Summerfest event bring the community together - By Michelle Libby

After much anticipation, Summerfest kicked off the summer season with a bang. Last Saturday, the day started off with heavier than usual crowds lining Route 202 for the Summerfest parade featuring organizations, floats, political entries, antique cars, the Shriners and so much more. The parade was longer this year and featured favorite entries and some new ones. Once the parade ended, the booths were open for business featuring food, fun and information. There was a row of crafters and another row for small food businesses like Naturally Jammin’. Other organizations like DARE and the Town of Windham’s comprehensive plan had tables to engage citizens in dialogue about what they do and their upcoming events. 

 

Non-profits served up food from the staple of frozen hot chocolate to pizza and sausage sandwiches, many vendors sold out of their products.

The day was highlighted by little things that happened. Windham Police officers played soccer on the field with some of the teenagers. Families brought Frisbees and played catch. Kids enjoyed running and playing with Flammin’ Raymond and Sizzlin’ Susan, their hula hoops and fun music. 

Everywhere people looked there was evidence of community involvement. State Representative Mark Bryant volunteered to be dunked in the dunk tank with is tie and dress clothes on. 

Entertainment and demonstrations went on all afternoon on the main stage and on a second stage at the far end of the field. There was an exciting K9 demonstration featuring K9 Vader from the Windham Police Department and his handler Officer Steve Stubbs.

The frog jump was a popular event with the winning frog cheered on by Dylan Hanrahan. The frog jumped 29 feet in 30 seconds. Dylan’s sister Brooke had the second place frog who jumped 17 feet 9 inches. 

As the evening rolled around the music heated up with JD Gilbert & The Night Train and Tickle. Singer Suzie Cropper from Main Stage Academy sang God Bless the USA just before the fireworks show began to the delight of the hundreds of people who packed into the school grounds. 

The committee chair Kelly Mank was thrilled with the turn out and the feedback she received that day and from the survey the committee put out on Facebook. There is still time to fill out the survey offering suggestions and constructive feedback at https://www.facebook.com/WindhamSummerfest/.

The committee is looking for additional volunteers to make next year’s Summerfest bigger and better.

Other members Tommy and Deb Matthews worked on setting up and organizing the booths and the parade. Robin Mullins led the fundraising for this year’s event. Niels Mank handled logistics, set up and other details. 

The committee’s needs for next year include more volunteers willing to take some of the work load and many volunteers on the day of Summerfest to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

The survey also asks for volunteers for next year for the parade, set up, clean up and more. It’s never too early to get involved. 

Next year Summerfest will be on June 24, 2017.

What to expect Summerfest weekend - By Walter Lunt

There will be many activities at Summerfest on June 25 on the grounds of Windham High School. From the traditional parade and food booths, there will also be activities for the whole family, entertainment from a variety of bands and performers on the main stage. 
 

The committee is still looking for volunteers for the parade, which kicks off at 10 a.m., and a clean-up crew for Sunday. 

Summerfest is not a town funded event. Everything is paid for by donations from businesses and organizations who participate. Donations were down this year, so the committee is doing the whole day on a “shoestring budget,” the committee said.  

There will be a carnival as there has in the past and the fireworks will go off at 9 p.m.

Saturday will kick off with the seventh annual Duane Clark Memorial Car Show with a bonanza of classic cars and over 30 categories of winners.

It’s got doughnuts, coffee, drivin’ and cruisin’ songs and dozens of classic cars. The Duane Clark Memorial Car Show is fast becoming a tradition at Windham Summerfest.

Founder and coordinator Stan Page predicts “The show will be bigger and better than ever,” especially considering that “…it’s the only car show in town this year,” referring to the cancellation of this year’s Windham Boosters Auto Show.

Duane Clark was a 1964 graduate of Windham High School who died in 1971. A committee of his classmates started the scholarship in his memory in the early 70s.

 “For those of us who loved Duane and love old cars, this is a natural marriage,” said committee member and classmate Gary Plummer.

Clark is remembered by his high school peers as an outstanding athlete and all-around great guy who promoted positive school values, sportsmanship and fair play. Committee members said Clark was well liked and highly respected across the entire student body, and that virtually everyone considered him a friend.

“The car show helps to support a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving Windham High School senior by carrying on Duane’s unique qualities,” according to Page. The 2016 scholarship was recently awarded to WHS graduate Sadie Nelson who will major in athletic training at the University of New England.

Page said this year’s auto show, on June 25, features 26 classes of vehicles with trophies awarded to first, second and third place winners. Classes range from antique cars and motorcycles to Corvettes and street rods. Special awards include best of show for both car and truck, best paint and best engine.

The premier Duane Clark Cup is selected by Duane’s classmates who decide which vehicle would be the one picked by Clark to drive away in. The student who won the Duane Clark scholarship the previous year selects and presents the special Scholarship Winner’s Pick.

A number of car show participants join the Summerfest parade, which precedes the start of the Summerfest day activities. The public is invited to visit the car show for free at the Windham High School front parking lot between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Car Show participants can register between 7 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. For more information, call 892-7389.

Civil War encampment at Village Green

Civil War re-enactors will muster on the Windham Historical Society’s Village Green on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26. In period dress, the soldiers of the 3rd Maine Infantry Volunteers will march with drum and fife in the Summerfest parade and demonstrate drills and camp life at an encampment behind the historical society Town House museum on Windham Center Road.

Saturday, beginning at noon, events include an infantry drill with musket firing, a Civil War era regimental surgeon, field music and an inspection by a civilian Sanitary Commission attempting to promote healthy camp life for the men.

Sunday, at 8 a.m., there will be a special portrayal of Camp Hamlin (named for Vice-President Hannibal Hamlin), which was established near Augusta for the mustering of the 3rd Maine in May/June, 1861 as it prepared to leave for Washington D.C. and three years of federal service in the War Between The States. It includes a fashion presentation, mail call, and the closing of camp around 3 p.m.

On both days guests are encouraged to visit with the soldiers, take a look at the cook stove, tents and equipment and ask questions.

Also on site in the historical society museum will be a display of a home front parlor. The self- guided tour includes hand sewn silk bonnets, a treadle sewing machine, original billboards advertising a traveling minstrel show of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, letters home from Windham Civil War soldiers, needlework, furniture and household items.

The encampment and display are free. Donations to the historical society are gratefully accepted. For more visit, www.windhamhistorical.org.

Although not all of the events are a direct part of Summerfest, the weekend is shaping up to be full of fun and laughter.

The Summerfest Committee is looking for more board members for next year’s event. It’s never too early to volunteer. They are looking for coordinators for entertainment, certain fundraising events and someone to run the parade. 

Even if volunteering isn’t on your agenda, make sure Summerfest is on the calendar for June 25. To volunteer this year or for the board, visit www.windhamsummerfest.com or call Kelly at 894-5600. To make a donation to help fund Summerfest, visit www.gofundme.com/windhamsummerfest.

Photo: Stan Page awards the 2015 Duane Clark Scholarship check for $1,000 to Adam Poitras of Windham, who completed first semester studies at Northwestern University where he majors in Economics.