Dexter Family Fun Day in the Park shaping up

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DEXTER — Sack races, ring toss, three-legged races, a donut-eating contest and other games for kids of all ages are on tap for the first-ever Dexter Family Fun Day in the Park Saturday on Sept. 14.

    While the official purpose of the event is a “soft grand opening” of the Dexter Community Playground at Crosby Park, the real purpose is to get the community together for a day of fun, said Sue Hill, one of the organizers. “We’ve never done anything like this before. When you’re doing outdoor activities, it’s a different ballgame,” Hill said. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 15.
    The latest addition to the show is a live broadcast by classic rock radio station I-95 (WWMJ – 95.7) from 12-4 p.m., which follows live entertainment from 10 a.m. – noon. Hill said that the committee is getting excellent support from volunteers and vendors. “We’ve already brought in close to $1,000 in sponsors and vendor fees. The kid’s games are already put together, packed up and ready to move to the playground,” she added.
    The Dexter Community Playground Committee has raised about $32,000 toward their goal of $130,000 to replace all the 20-year-old playground equipment at Crosby Park, some of which was made from pressure-treated wood.
    A good turnout of volunteers installed some of the new pieces last month which include a climbing unit, swings, 10-person merry-go-round, treehouse-type climber for 2-to-5 year-olds, four park benches and three “surfers” on springs.
    Major contributors to the Dexter Community Playground so far include Plum Creek Timber Corp., Bangor Savings Bank, Skowhegan Savings, Wal-Mart and the Abbot Memorial Library Board of Trustees.
    In addition, McKusick Construction, Wyman Construction, Steve Lawson Construction and the town’s public works department have donated 90 percent of the labor for the playground project and Hardwood Products of Guilford donated wood chips.
    Some vendor and craft spaces rentals are still available at $25 for a 10-by-10 foot area and participants should bring their own tables, chairs and a canopy, if needed.
    For more information about Family Fun Day, contact Hill at 270-6028, Beth Wintle at 924-3564, Debbie Tibbetts at 924-7305 or Melody Stanhope at 270-0072.