Fifth anniversary of tasty festival is a big whoopie-do

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Like two sides of the tasty treat celebrated at the festival, the fifth anniversary of the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on June 28 nearly doubled the size of Dover-Foxcroft. Attendees may have had to contend with the occasional melting whoopie pie under the bright summer sun, but organizers estimated a record 7,500-plus people passed through gates to celebrate the tasty treat.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    SPEED EATERS — Fourteen entrants in the kids’ 12 and under whoopie pie eating contest tried to be the first to finish three of the tasty treats during a competition as part of the fifth anniversary Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on June 28 in downtown Dover-Foxcroft. All 14 received coupons for a half gallon of whoopie pie ice cream at Will’s Shop ‘n Save and the winner earned a festival hat and bragging rights as the whoopie pie eating champion. A record crowd of over 7,500 attended the 2014 festival to sample from a selection of nearly every type of whoopie pie imaginable.

    With the gates opening at 10 a.m., Maine Whoopie Pie Festival organizer Patrick Myers greeted those entering the Whoopie Pie Zone. He explained some of the day’s big events and mentioned the various event sponsors and said, “All proceeds benefit the Center Theatre and its work to bring the arts to our community.”
    Festival-goers could sample numerous kinds of whoopie pies and were able to decide on some of their favorites. “Give your gold coins to your favorite baker, that’s how you vote for your favorite,” Myers said.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    EYE ON THE BALLS — Comedy juggler Bryson Lang performs his double dodge ball trick during the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival.

    “We are going to crown the Whoopie Pie Festival’s first ever Big Whoop,” Myers said, with those commenting on the Facebook pages of Freedom House Bed and Breakfast and Will’s Shop ‘n Save — the festival’s official bed and breakfast and official grocer respectively — being eligible to be drawn to receive the honor and accompanying prize package.
    Debbie Warren of Sebec was selected as the inaugural Big Whoop, and Myers had her take an oath to spread joy and whoopie throughout the festival. Warren was given a crown and robe to help perform her duties, which included being an official festival judge and announcing the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
    “I do declare this festival to be a whole lot of whoopie!,” Warren announced as her first duty to help start the day’s festivities.