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Windham's Summerfest a Modern Spin on an Old Tradition

June 17, 2009 - WINDHAM -- It will offer chances to get a helicopter ride, see a canal boat replica from the Cumberland and Oxford Canal, soak a town official, simulate the dangers of operating under the influence, enjoy Mexican food and take in a fireworks display, all in the same day.

The third annual Windham Summerfest will present these and many more happenings when it opens with the police and fire department softball game at 7 p.m. Friday behind Windham High School.

Windham, like many Maine towns, has historically held an annual summertime festival.

Often dubbed "Old Home Days," many of these have their roots in the late 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution took younger generations off the farms and away from their rural hometown for mill and factory jobs in urban areas. Old Home Days were designed to bring family members back to their roots for a summer celebration.

Today, Windham has a strong sense of community; the feeling will be notable throughout the Summerfest celebration on Saturday.

Summerfest organizers say this year's event will be bigger and better than last year. Activities begin with a pancake breakfast by the Windham Lions Club from 7 to 9:30 a.m. in the Middle School cafeteria. The huge Summerfest parade starts at 10 a.m. at the rotary on Route 302 and will proceed along Route 202 toward the high school, Summerfest headquarters.

More than 75 entrants include Daisy Girl Scout Troop 12, a Windham Police Department color guard, Miss Young Teen Maine Marybeth Noonan, Bobby Babb & Family Racecars, the Bellamy Jazz Band and a Windham Historical Society canal boat. Traffic will be detoured; the parade will last about 90 minutes.

Booths of all kinds will have food and games. Community groups such as Boy Scout Troop 51 will be soaking town notables in the dunk tank at the high school once the parade concludes. New this year is the Summerfest Business Expo.

"It's for small, local businesses," said Windham resident and Chamber of Commerce member Ron Eby.

"It's a good opportunity for area businesses to get one-on-one with customers and grow their business. And through their contributions, it's also a good way to help Summerfest grow."

The Windham Economic Development Corp.'s Board of Directors has agreed to sponsor the first Lakes Region Business Expo at the celebration.

"The Business Expo is a way for local businesspeople to support this community event while at the same time providing an opportunity for them to meet with and speak to the thousands of area residents who attend," said Tom Bartell, executive director of the corporation.

"It will be an outstanding opportunity to promote the great businesses we have in Windham."

Windham Summerfest is a community-supported enterprise, with all proceeds going toward keeping the event viable. However, there are some charitable ventures, too.

Perhaps the best noted is Ron's Mexican Cantina and Grill, led by Eby.

A cornerstone of Summerfest since 2007, Eby's cantina is a food booth raising money for Camp Sunshine and its mission of serving kids with cancer. Eby and other associated partners have raised some $60,000 in the past two years alone.

"All of the proceeds from the cantina go to Camp Sunshine," said Eby. "I don't take out costs for food. It's become something dear to my heart."

When Eby started this a couple of years ago, Hancock Lumber donated materials for the brightly colored structure, and Eby's family and friends decided to cook buckets of Mexican food.

It proved better than Eby ever expected. In 2007, one patron was wise to the effort and stepped up early to buy a Summerfest lunch, paying with a $500 check. Eby won't be the only vendor; plenty of choices are available.

A skateboard competition will take place at 1 p.m. at the Windham Skate Park near the Public Safety Building on Route 202. Sponsored by Locals Skate & Snow, which is also awarding prizes, competition will be divided in three age groups: 11 and under, 12-15, and 16-plus. Participants will have two one-minute runs during which they can do any trick imaginable for the judges.

From 2 to 5 p.m., the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office will have its OUI simulator available for anyone 16 and over who wants to experience the hazards of getting behind the wheel after drinking. Be prepared to put on a pair of "fatal vision goggles" and hop in a golf cart.

"Based on certain blood-alcohol levels, the goggles are made to distort the vision and perception of an individual," says Kevin Joyce, chief sheriff's deputy. Traffic cones are set up on a course for the driver and golf cart to navigate.

First, participants will put on the goggles and try to walk up to the cart and put the key in the ignition, which Joyce says often proves problematic.

"This simulates classic behavior often seen with a drunk driver," said Joyce. An officer will then accompany the driver on the course.

Joyce, who designed the program back in 1998, says it's the only one of its kind in the state.

"Our hope is that when they drive drunk under our scenario, they'll choose not to do it in real life," said Joyce.

Bands will play throughout the afternoon, and helicopter rides are available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fireworks are at dusk. There will be plenty of fun for everyone, young and old.

DON PERKINS, Portland Press Herald, June 17, 2009


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