2016 Maine Potato Blossom Festival Organizing

Committee Meets

Fort Fairfield Journal, August 19, 2015

The Organizing Committee for next year’s Maine Potato Blossom Festival met Wednesday evening, August 12 to discuss this year’s festival and begin planning for next year’s.

   Tim Goff, Executive Director of Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Festival director said a lot of things went well this year.  “The three nights of street dances and beer garden were very well received,” said Goff, “even with the increased exposure on Main Street, Chief Campbell tells me there were no arrests or summonses during the whole nine day festival.”

   Adjustments to the schedule were discussed that would spread some of the ‘kid-friendly’ events through the week rather than  bunching them all up on Thursday night.

   New ideas for next year’s festival are an outdoor Red Hat Lady Pageant, Tater Tot Eating contest and Goff also expressed a desire to bring back the Roostook River Raft Race.  “A lot of people have said they’d like to see the raft race come back.”  He also said there would be a need to a system in place that would eliminate the drinking of alcohol while on the rafts—which is illegal anyway—with the fun aspects of the race.

   Fort Fairfield Journal editor, David Deschesne suggested the opening Sunday of the Festival could involve the Raft Race, ending at the boat landing around 3pm with a Pig Roast at Riverside Park, followed by the Red Hat Lady Pageant.  “I’d also like to eventually work in Charlene’s summer pool party in that area,” he said.

   It was also noted that the baked potato, which was offered this year by one vendor in the food court, and Sisters Bakery, needed to be promoted better in the future.

   Those interested in being on the organizing committee and helping out with next year’s festival planning are encourage to contact the Fort Fairfield Chamber office at 472-3802.