Elvis sighting anticipated at Woolwich Day

The Aug. 1 celebration begins with 10k road race
Fri, 07/17/2015 - 8:00am

    Elvis, the “King of Rock 'n' Roll” is coming to Woolwich! Well, sort of.

    Robert Lewis, an Elvis tribute artist of King and Company Legends, will be performing at this year’s Woolwich Day celebration on Saturday, Aug. 1. The event will go on rain or shine. Elvis, i.e., Lewis, wearing his trademark white aloha jump, will take the stage at 1 p.m. for an hour-long show. The venue will be in the historic Nequasset Meeting House across from the town office and fire station.

    The show is just one of many fun things folks can experience at this year’s day-long event organized by the town’s recreation committee. Everything takes place on the grounds around the town office, waterfront park and Woolwich Historical Society Museum. Also on tap is a 1 mile fun run, and 10k road race.  

    Aside from graduation at the Woolwich Central School and town meeting, Woolwich Day is definitely the biggest occasion in town.

    “It’s all done with volunteers, and we try to make it an event where there’s something for people of all ages to enjoy,” Selectman Allison Hepler told the newspaper. Proceeds benefit the rec committee and Woolwich Historical Society.

    Hepler said the rec committee hopes bringing in an Elvis tribute artist will boost this year’s attendance. “He performed in town not long ago at the Taste of Maine Restaurant and drew a pretty big crowd,” she said.

    Tammy Given of Woolwich Historical Society was at Lewis’ show with her family. “He was really good. We’re all pretty excited about him coming back for Woolwich Day.”

    The festivities start with breakfast sponsored by the ladies auxiliary from 7 to 10 a.m. at the firehouse.

    Registration for the Bob Meade Classic 10k road race is from 7 to 8:30; preregistration forms are available in advance at the town office. The entry fee is $10 for preregistration, $12 on the day of the race. The hilly course both starts and ends at Nequasset Park and traverses the Barley Neck, Hockomack, Murphy Corner and George Wright roads. There a $5 entry fee for the 1 mile fun run/walk, starting at 8 a.m. For more information about either race, contact the town office at 207-442-7094.

    Kids activities include swimming, a bounce house, water slide and balloon sculptures. There will also be tables with arts and crafts, a silent auction, book sale, and refreshments including baked goods lemonade, hot dogs and hamburgers.

    The Woolwich Historical Society will open the doors of its museum in the 19th century farmhouse and offer free admission all day. It’s an opportunity to see hundreds of interesting items including Native American artifacts, quilts, spinning wheels, antique tools, a Civil War drum and more.

    Another event to take place is the annual “Blessing of the Animals” for all creatures great and small.

    Prizes will be raffled off as well, including a pair of Downeaster train tickets, gift certificates from the Taste of Maine Restaurant and Plant’s Seafood, a tool from the Shelter Institute and a ride on a lobster boat.