Parade and fireworks highlight Guilford’s Redneck Riverfest

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer
    GUILFORD — Redneck Riverfest is set for Saturday, July 27 in Guilford, and the mid-summer event – now in its ninth year – is easily the biggest drawing card of the year for the riverfront community.

“We’ve also added fireworks to the schedule, so we’re expecting a huge crowd,” Town Manager Tom Goulette said. “The parade starts at 9 a.m. and we’ll have events going on all day.”
    Many parade floats are expected to adopt the “redneck theme” but some perennial favorites — Anah Temple Shrine units — will also march through town.
    And yes, there will be souvenir T-shirts on sale in all sizes.
    All the food vendors, arts and craft displays and kid’s games will be at the Piscataquis Community School’s athletic fields.
    Herring Brothers will sponsor a pig scramble; and kids can also enjoy water slides, a bounce house and more fun and games all day.
    The Rubber Ducky Run will also be launched in the Piscataquis River and there are three prices for three tiers of prizes: yellow ducks are $1, pink ones are $2 and blue ones are $5. The winners get $50, $125 and $250 respectively.
    Two of Maine’s best known country rock bands, Emerald Sky and Still Water, will highlight the musical entertainment at Redneck Riverfest.
    While some last-minute details are being finalized, Goulette said that Riverfest Committee members like Carrie Fellows, Brian and Cindy Woodworth and Paul “P.Z.” Zimmerman are keeping the summer event alive.
    “This actually started as a Kiwanis project,” Goulette said. “But after the Guilford club folded, a lot of people still wanted the festival. So here we are.”