Despite changeable weather and memories of last year’s pummeling, event-canceling deluge, the weekend’s 28th edition of Westbrook Together Days was deemed a resounding success.
For the few drops of water that fell Saturday afternoon at Riverbank Park, a tarp over the speakers and tents for the audience meant the show was still good to go. The hot dog and strawberry shortcake hawkers never missed a beat.
“It’s a great day,” said Sue Rosignol, the Westbrook city treasurer, shortly after Saturday’s sprinkling had finished and the sun was starting to burn through the clouds.
Westbrook Police Chief Paul McCarthy estimated that the Saturday morning parade alone drew an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 people.
But Together Days isn’t just for Westbrook locals. South Portland resident Yolanda George – who moved to Maine from Brooklyn, N.Y., six months ago – was also content with the cloudy day as she waited for a magician’s show to start.
“The grandkids are having a great time,” George said of the two little ones accompanying her. With the rides, the games, the music and getting the grandchildren’s faces painted, George said she’d probably be coming back for the next Together Days.
Darryl Wright, president of the Westbrook Chamber of Commerce, said that though “the rain was a bummer,” he thought the event “went very well.”
“I heard from a bunch of parents who were happy about the rides for the kids,” said Wright.
“I’m going to try the dunking machine,” said Sam Broome, a youngster attending the festival with his sister Emily, his brother Zach, his mother Julie and Julie’s friend Jeanne Waldron.
When asked what she liked about the festival, Julie Broome, from Portland, said, “There’s space to run around and relax.”
“I just like the fact that you bump into so many people that you know,” said Waldron, from Westbrook.
Shirley Lavonte of Lewiston was a second-timer. The first time she came she enjoyed it, so friend Janice Sawyer, a long-time Westbrook resident, got her to come down from the north again.
“We can’t wait for the fireworks to start,” Sawyer said. “My house is on the river, so we’re going to sit on my deck and watch.”
Sawyer said she’s owned the same house in Westbrook for around 40 years, and though she moved away for a couple year, she’s been at the festival every time she’s been in town.
“We love Together Days,” Sawyer said.
Distant flashes of lightning Saturday evening pushed the fireworks display ahead a half-hour.
Wright, of the chamber of commerce, said a few people complained about the change of schedule, but the desire to get the display up into the sky and to keep the folks running the fireworks safe meant it was best to move the show ahead of schedule.
Speaking at Monday’s Westbrook City Council meeting, Mayor Bruce Chuluda thanked all involved in putting the festival together, and noted that the auction raised over $5,100.
Individual organizations did well, too.
“I’ve sold a ton of hot dogs,” said Jeff Mclain, at the Westbrook Youth Hockey booth, Saturday afternoon.
“At least 600 hotdogs, if not more,” said Candy L’Heareaux after a quick calculation in her head.
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