Summerfest this weekend in Monson

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    MONSON — Food, fun and fireworks highlight the annual Monson Summerfest scheduled for Friday and Saturday, July 19-20. The two-day celebration is an ideal weekend for those who just like to relax, or for folks who like to participate in two sporting events: one on the water, and one on the land and lake.

    The first event is the Lake Hebron Slate Man Triathlon, which gets under way with registration at 7:15 a.m. at the Monson Gym. The three segments are a run from the gym around Indian Point to Greenleaf Landing, a kayak ride from Greenleaf Landing across Lake Hebron to the town cove beach and a bicycle ride from the beach back to the gym.
    There are three divisions – male, female and team – and Jack Dailey of Salt Lake City, Utah has won the individual race for three years in a row. He broke his own race record last year with a total time of 26:50. Another summer resident from Utah, Koko Novak, won the women’s division with a time of 35:13.
    The winning team, named Rebekah Sandwich, consisted of Rebekah Anderson, Rebecca Farnham and Mary McCauley.
    The second event is the Anything Floats Race set to launch on Lake Hebron on Saturday at 3 p.m. While the object of the race is to finish first, the unique designs of the craft are also the big attraction. Last year’s team winner was “Storage Warriors” captained by Shyler Lewis while the individual honor went to Jorja Hunt sailing “The Beast.”
    The “Beach Babes” with Amber Lewis, Chris Stewart and Tyler Stewart was judged Most Creative and Danny Smith and Bruce Erickson’s “Rub-A-Dub Tub” won the Most Comical Award.
    The weekend officially kicks off on Friday night with a “bring-your-own-wings” workshop at Spring Creek Barbecue at 6 p.m., and live music by the General Store Jammers at the Monson Community Center at 6:30 p.m.
    On Saturday, there will be exhibits by Lake Hebron Artisans, a craft fair on Main Street, a presentation of “The Appalachian Trail: Past and Present” at the Monson Historical Society Museum at 1 p.m., children’s games at the community center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and the annual alumni banquet at the Monson Gym.
    Lake Hebron Artisans will feature photographer Roger Merchant and Maine Guide/”Fairyologist” Suzanne Buchanan during Monson’s Summerfest on Saturday.
    Buchanan, of Gentle Adventures, will hold a fairy open house reception at Lake Hebron Artisans where visitors can view woodland findings and also make a fairy-themed craft.
    Photographer Merchant will be available at 1 p.m. to discuss what makes a visually-compelling photograph instead of “just another snapshot along the road.”
    Over the past 30 years, Merchant has devoted his photographic explorations to interior Maine from Baskahegan Lake on the east to the Boundary Mountains on the west and from Bangor north to the Allagash.
    His cultural excursions have also taken him into Gaspe, Nova Scotia, Czech Republic, Ecuador plus expeditions into Wyoming’s Wind River Range and Utah’s Escalante region.
    Monson Summerfest concludes with a spectacular fireworks show at the ball field behind the gym.
    More information and any schedule updates will be posted on the town of Monson’s Facebook page.