Summerfest in Danforth Maine : Small Town, Big Pride

When I tell people of my small town, they claim it's in the middle of nowhere. That may be true, but that doesn't stop it from celebrating it's place on the map. During it's annual Summerfest, people emerge from every nook and cranny to be a part the action.

I heard about Summerfest two years ago, (having come to Danforth for the past 36 years) while looking at a restaurant that was for sale. The then-owner was adamant about selling everything except her Icee machine. She said, "I can't get rid of that, it makes me a killing on Summerfest."

Summerfest, I wondered, what the heck could that be? I'm in a town where I often see five cars or less in what should be considered the rush hour traffic mayhem. How could this Icee machine be so popular and so coveted?

I asked my pal Jill Hayman, what exactly Summerfest was. "Oh gosh, Summerfest is awesome. It's crazy huge. The whole town comes together for this one day, and visitors come from neighboring towns as far as an hour away. Activities line the street and there's a lot for the kids to do. They have food, crafts, and parades. I think they ran a marathon once."

So this year I made sure to be in town for Summerfest. I saw bleachers and Port-A-Johnnies being carried in. Yes, the 2009 Summerfest was officially underway. This year it was on 17-18 , despite the dampening rain.

It started on Friday with gospel caroling. Saturday was the big parade, luncheons, and official Summerfest activities. As you can see in the photos, the local fire department as well as Smokey the Bear were on hand. I think Smokey would agree, that fire danger was low, but pride for being a Danforthian, this day, was high.

A pet parade and craft booths were scheduled, but the rain put a small damper on that. I had fun petting a greyhound while watching the procession and talking to it's owner. Come to find out, her husband was an EMT and she had lived in Maryland too. Small world, two ex-Marylanders in a town 800 miles away talking on Summerfest.

Candy was thrown to the kids, and smiles were everywhere.

By noon the fire house was packed for it's BBQ chicken lunch, and what a deal for the price! The parking lot was filled and we couldn't find a place to park. Rave reviews make this a hot spot.

Activities for the kids continued. I saw them dancing in the rain!

The Cornerstone's night time activities were a theater play with dinner. According to their owners, their last play was in house and very successful, so this time they had utilized the town hall. As soon as the tickets went up for sale with an ad in the Danforth Community News, they were well on their way to sold out. I could not believe my ears. As I checked in at the Cornerstone for an afternoon grinder (delicious I may add), and to browse for cool antiques, people were providing their names and numbers, hoping for cancellations.

The bottom line is Danforth is setting the example. You don't have to be a large town to have pride in your town. I'm proud to be a Danforthian. Here we have a small town, but big hearts, and big pride. You can learn a lot from this place. If you teach your kids to love your town early on, they will.

Now if only Baltimore could learn a thing or two....

For upcoming Summerfest information, call the Danforth Town Office at 207-448-2321. Hope to see you there!