Fall-like temperatures didn’t stop residents of Scarborough from enjoying this year’s Summerfest, held Saturday at the town’s sports fields. Local booster groups raised money to support their sports teams, children tooted trumpets along to the tunes of Rog and Ray and the wind died down just in time for the fireworks.
“It’s just a great event every year,” said Town Council Chairman Jeff Messer, who served as the event’s announcer.
As students prepare to go off to college and residents return from summer vacations, Summerfest was the place to both say goodbye and reunite with friends and neighbors in the community.
A highlight for children of Scarborough, like 8-year-old Erin Ryan, was a trip down the giant slide.
“I like going on the big slide because it’s fun climbing up and sliding down,” she said.
Amara Fox, 10, agreed the slide was a highlight of her night, but a bite of the blueberry crisp, she said, was nearly as enjoyable.
“It was really good,” said Fox.
Food was in abundance at the festival. From lobster rolls served up by the Scarborough Kiwanis to hot dogs and hand-cut pier fries, there was something to satisfy every taste bud.
Gary Garrison, of the Scarborough Masons, dipped dough in the deep fryer, for customers to cover with cinnamon, sugar, butter or all three.
“It’s a great day. Everybody’s happy,” said Garrison. The money raised from fried dough sales will go toward scholarships that the Masons provide, he said.
Early in the evening, children ruled Summerfest, as they collected prizes like toy swords and balloon hats. Coastal Xtreme cheerleading team sold out of the marshmallow guns that could be seen shooting across the playing fields throughout the night. The guns were made by Diane Messer, whose daughter is on the team. She will make another 25 guns for kids who couldn’t get them at Summerfest.
Though Bailey Anastasoff, 7, has his marshmallow gun on back order, he managed to keep himself busy competing against his father, Shawn, in a round of hockey-themed miniature golf under the lights.
“This is one of the highlights of Summerfest for people,” said Nancy Ravin, whose son Neil is a junior on the hockey team. Ravin said the money raised from miniature golf will help the hockey boosters pay for ice time during the season.
Just walking around the festival was enough to satisfy Ben Stone, 12. His friend Nate Erikson, 10, said just hanging out was the best part of the night, too, though the popcorn helped, “especially because it’s free,” he said.
Sadie Tirrel, 11, said seeing her friends again after the summer was her favorite part of the night. One of those friends, Sarah Pallotta, 11, was excited about getting to pet a service dog and seeing the fireworks at the end of the night.
As the younger children headed home, teens and young adults milled around the fields waiting for the fireworks display and catching up with schoolmates they hadn’t seen for the summer – or even for years.
“It’s a mini high school reunion,” said Mike Mack, who graduated from Scarborough High School in 2003. “Summerfest is great. I’ve been going ever since it started.”
Adults also enjoyed catching up with old friends, especially in the bleachers listening to musicians Rog and Ray.
“It’s being able to chit-chat with people I haven’t seen all summer long,” said Dan Lambert about his favorite part of Summerfest, aside from the music.
Many said they came for the fireworks, and, according to Messer, the show did not disappoint.
“I think the fireworks display was the best we ever had,” said Messer, who has been the announcer for the past eight years.
“It’s a gathering of the entire community,” he said. “It’s just really cool to be a part of it.”
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