Bicentennial edition of Monson Summerfest set for Saturday
MONSON — Monson Summerfest will return on Saturday, July 16, with an event-packed day to help celebrate the season and the community’s Bicentennial.
The day kicks off with the Slateman Triathlon at 7 a.m. outside the Monson Gym as athletes run, kayak and bike, and a coloring contest from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the post office.
The parade through town will begin at 9 a.m., assembling at the Blanchard Road for the procession designed to be short, silly and fun and will feature costumes, lawn tractors, bicycles, walkers, and more.
A craft fair takes place on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A Liza Sperry poster signing will be from 9-10 a.m. at the Monson General Store.
Kid’s games run from 9-11 a.m. behind the Monson Arts Gallery. The Art of Monson Exhibit is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Monson Arts Gallery. A talk by Andrew Witmer, author of “Here and Everywhere Else” a book about the history of Monson, will discuss his book, the history of the county, and what he’s uncovered in his research during a talk set to begin at 11 a.m. at the Moore Building. A Monson Pottery demonstration and workshop runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A cribbage tourney is from 12-2 p.m. at the Coworking Space.
SUMMERFEST BOAT RACE — The Anything Floats race was part of the 2021 Monson Summerfest last July, with competitors racing their homemade crafts from the boat launch across the Lake Hebron cove to the Lakeshore House dock. The “Half A Float Canoe,” left, won in the race between it and the “Cardboard Cruiser.” The 2022 race starts at 2:30 p.m. at the boat launch on Saturday as part of this year’s Monson Bicentennial Summerfest.
The Monson Public Library hosts children’s activities from 1-3 p.m. A Carl Little talk will be at 2 p.m. at the Moore Building. The annual Anything That Floats Race – featuring homemade craft paddled across the Lake Hebron Cove – begins at 2:30 p.m. at the boat launch
Shaw’s Hiker Hostel hosts a cornhole tourney from 2-4 p.m. Tours of Farm in the Woods start at 3 p.m. The Center Theatre Camp Players perform at 3:30 p.m. behind The Gallery, as the young participants showcase a work they created during two weeks of camp. The Monson Academy Alumni banquet will be at 5 p.m. at the Monson Gym.
The “Made Not Taken” art exhibition opening is from 5-7 p.m. at the Gascoine Gallery, located on the second floor of Monson Pottery. The exhibit runs through the end of the year.
“Made Not Taken” comprises a selection of artwork made by photographers who have been residents at Monson Arts, The Abbott Watts Residency, or produced their work at the Watts Studio. Although their medium is photography, these artists explore imagery beyond documented events creating works that are in themselves events.
The included artists are Berenice Abbott, Enda Burke, Joanne Dugan, Chelsea Ellis, Kathy Grove, Jonty Sale, and Todd Watts.
Monson Arts was established by the Libra Foundation in 2018. The Abbott Watts Residency was added to Monson Arts in 2021. Monson Pottery began in 2015 and the Gascoine Gallery was created in 2019.
The Watts Studio, where photographers have consistently produced their work, began in New York in 1972, and moved to Blanchard in 2000.
The Monson Jammers perform from 5-7 p.m. at the gazebo behind The Gallery. The Finnish Farmers Club hosts a dance starting at 7 p.m.
The 2022 Monson Summerfest concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m. behind the gym.
For more information, please see the Monson Me Bicentennial page or Monson, Maine page on Facebook.