Moontide Festival back on the map
By Eileen M. Adams
Staff Writer

RUMFORD – A few years after Matt Plante retired from the military, he decided to come home to Rumford.

Using his renewed enthusiasm for his hometown, he agreed to head up the Moontide Water Festival Committee when it was learned last month that the committee that had worked so hard on the festival for so many years had decided to call it quits.

Plante’s enthusiasm, together with another dozen or so new people to the area, along with people who have lived in the area for years, has resulted in plans for a four-day summer festival that will be capped off with the well-known giant fireworks display.

The festival, running from July 1 through July 4, will include a carnival for the four days. Whether the carnival will be held in the downtown area of Congress and Exchange streets, or at some other site, such as near the former Agway building just outside of the buildup area, will be decided at a meeting of the committee set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, at Dr. Angela Roberts’ office on Exchange Street.

Plante said the committee is trying to resolve concerns of some downtown merchants that the carnival may discourage shoppers from visiting their stores during the event. He said plans are underway to offer golf carts that can transport people from parking lots to the downtown area during the carnival so foot traffic won’t be as affected.

He’d like to see a downtown carnival, though.

“Wouldn’t it be great to be on a Ferris wheel and see the fireworks at the same time!” he said.

Costs for the carnival, related events and the fireworks display are estimated at $40,000. A few thousand is available from the previous committee, and the town of Rumford, through its cable franchise fees, generally kicks in about $10,000. But that still leaves at least $25,000 to raise between now and June.

Plante said letters requesting donations will be sent to at least 40 businesses, organizations, towns and individuals next week. He said his committee is also asking each town in the River Valley to hold some kind of fund-raiser to help pay for the four-day festival. The committee will also hold a series of fund-raisers starting in March.

Planned so far is the carnival and musical performances, lots of food vendors and craftspeople during each of the four days. On July 4, the traditional car show will be held and a petting zoo for children, along with a huge fireworks display over the reflection pool of the Androscoggin River equal to what has been provided in the past. Further details will be announced as plans for the events solidify.

Besides the core group of 12 committee members, about 50 people have volunteered to help out. More are welcomed to attend any of the weekly meetings. Concerns by business people will also be discussed and addressed as meetings are held

“If anyone wants to join in, we are looking for positive feedback,” he said. “We’ve picked up a lot of steam in the past three weeks. People are seeing how this can be positive for the town.”

Donations, which are tax deductible, to help fund the four-day event may be sent to: Bangor Savings Bank, Moontide Festival, Congress Street, Rumford.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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