Sangerville Bicentennial Committee has big plans for summer celebration

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    SANGERVILLE — The Piscataquis County community once known as Amestown will celebrate its 200th birthday on June 14, 2014.
    Amestown was named after its earliest-known settler, Phineas Ames. But in 1814, it was incorporated as Sangerville in honor of the principal proprietor, Col. Calvin Sanger of Sherborn, Mass.

    “Sangerville actually became a town on June 13, 1814,” said Pam Smith, co-chair of the Sangerville Bicentennial Committee. “But we felt it’s much better to have the celebration on a Saturday.”
    In addition, June 14 is Flag Day, and leading the bicentennial parade will be four color guards including one from the Sons of Union Veterans. “You’ll see plenty of American flags that day,” Smith said.
    While plans are still being fine-tuned, Sangerville’s bicentennial will have the proverbial “something for everyone.”
    The Sangerville Library Board of Trustees will host a children’s area with games, a bounce house, a big “lion slide,” washable tattoos, pony rides and face painting, courtesy of the Abbot Evangelical Free Church.
Smith said that there will also be a craft fair at the Abner Wade Masonic Hall, bingo at the fire station, classic cars and bikes from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Maine, a rhubarb pie contest and several food vendors.
    Organizations and businesses that have signed up to sell food include the Sangerville Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary, the Masons, Piscataquis Community High School Class of 2015, Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union and the Sangerville Library Board of Trustees. “We’re encouraging each vendor to sell something unique, so we don’t have duplicates,” Smith explained. For example, the Class of 2015 will sell pizza while the fire department will offer hamburgers.
    The School Administrative District 4 woodworking class is also creating a giant wooden birthday cake for the parade.
    Entertainment includes an Elvis impersonator, sponsored by Maine Highlands FCU; music by the Monson Jammers and fancy footwork by some cloggers.
    In addition, there will be an art contest and poetry contest for Piscataquis Community Secondary School students with “monetary prizes” for the top three entries, Smith said.
    For adults, there will be an article on the March 29 town meeting warrant asking for permission for the Red Maple Inn of Guilford to have a beer concession at the celebration. “Sangerville allows off-premises sale of alcohol, but not on-premises consumption,” Smith said. A street dance is also in the works.
    Aside from food and other purchases, the committee intends for everything at the bicentennial celebration to be free. “We want to make sure that no matter what your income is, come and enjoy this day and bring the children so they have wonderful memories,” Smith said.
    Volunteers are also needed for the welcoming booth (Kathy Starbird 924-6699 or Smith at 564-7037); to put a float or unit in the parade (Ron Smith 564-7037); to help with the rhubarb pie or dessert competition (Cynthia Hall 564-7717); and to assist with the children’s area (Dinny Wark 924-3616).
    The next meeting of the Sangerville Bicentennial Committee is Monday, March 24 at 6 p.m. in the town hall.