Duck Dynasty theme at Piscataquis River Festival

Staff Report
    GUILFORD — Thanks to the popularity of the “redneck” theme last year, the 2014 edition of the Piscataquis River Festival coming up this weekend will have a Duck Dynasty theme.
    Duck Dynasty is one of the most popular shows on A&E television, and features a Louisiana family who became famous — and wealthy — from their duck call business.
    The festival gets under way on Saturday, July 26 with most events taking place at the ball field on Water Street in Guilford.

    The first events on the schedule are breakfast at the United Methodist Church from 7-9 a.m., a kids’ free fun run at 7:30 a.m. and a 5K road race at 8:45 a.m. Registration starts at 8:15 a.m. for the 5K and donation is $15. Entrants are asked to bring a food item and they’ll receive a race T-shirt.
    A 3-on-3 basketball tournament starts at 10 a.m.; contact Denise Buzzelli at the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce at 564-7533 to register.
    The parade through downtown Guilford gets under way at 9:30 a.m., and many floats are expected to have Duck Dynasty themes with bearded characters like the Robertson family in the series.
    The Herring Brothers pig scramble proved to be a huge hit last year, so the event is returning with three age classes. Call 876-4395 for more information.
    The first of two live bands — Shine — plays from 1-5 p.m.; a pie-eating contest for youngsters starts at 2 p.m.; and the famous Rubber Duck Race starts at 3 p.m. Purchase your duck race tickets at Goulette’s IGA, Key Bank or the Guilford town office.
    The festival schedule also includes a classic car cruise-in, craft and food booths, an alumni softball game, a firemen’s hose fountain, the tsunami water slide and various games for youngsters from toddlers to pre-teens.
    The Three Horseman will have live music from 5-9 p.m., and the evening will be capped off by fireworks.
    Also back this year is the River Festival Treasure Hunt. Pick up a treasure map at Community Fitness Center between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 3-5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and then follow the map to different locations to get prizes and have the map stamped. Turn completed maps into the River Festival T-shirt booth by 1 p.m. Saturday to be eligible to win a gift card.
    Festival partners are Goulette’s IGA, True Textiles, Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union, Hardwood Products/Puritan Medical Products, A.E. Robinson Oil Co., C.A. Dean Hospital, McKusick Petroleum, Herring Brothers Meats, Mayo Regional Hospital, Camden National Bank and Haley Constructions.
    More volunteers are needed and welcome. Contact Carrie Fellows at 717-5271 for more information.

Observer file photo
    CATCH ME IF YOU CAN — One of the most popular events at the 2013 Piscataquis River Festival, the Herring Brothers pig scramble, will be back this year.

Observer file photo
    SHIP AHOY — The PCHS Class of 1963 pirate ship was a popular entry in last year’s Piscataquis River Festival.