BETHEL – A full menu of fiddling, frog jumping, food and fun is on tap for this weekend’s festival commemorating an 18th century Pequawket Indian.
Sponsored by the Mahoosuc Arts Council, the main Mollyockett Day Festival runs from 7:30 a.m. through 9 p.m. Saturday, with most events held on the Bethel village common.
The festival begins at noon Friday with a Bethel Library book sale that runs to 6 p.m.
An annual attraction since 1960, the community event honors Molly Ockett, who lived among and befriended Western Maine’s early settlers from the mid-1700s to early 1800s.
Saturday highlights include a “yard-art”-themed parade from 11 a.m. to noon, the 24th annual Western Oxford County Frog Jumping Contest on Stan Howe’s lawn from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and an “Artirondack Chair” auction from 4 to 5 p.m.
Saturday begins with 7:30 a.m. registration for the Key Bank Mollyockett Day Classic Road Race at the common, followed by a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at The Bethel Inn.
The United Methodist Church is offering coffee and doughnuts, and a baked goods sale from 7:30 to 11 a.m.
The road race starts at 8:30 a.m. for children; 9 a.m. for adults, both runners and walkers.
From 9 a.m. to noon, a farmers’ market will be held at the Bethel Family Health Center.
There’s also something for car buffs. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the sixth annual Telstar High School Car Show will be held at the school on Route 26, with a free shuttle offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Chapman Inn every half hour.
Admission to the car show is $5 per vehicle including driver and one passenger; adult spectators, $2, and students, $1.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Bethel Masonic Lodge is sponsoring a free child identification program at the fire station across from the common.
The Bethel Historical Society’s exhibit, “Molly Ockett and Her World,” is open for free viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The crowning of “Princess Mollyockett” and a treasure hunt presentation start at noon at the common’s bandstand.
From noon to 2 p.m., firefighters will offer a chicken barbecue at the fire station.
Registration for the 10th annual Old Time Fiddler’s Contest is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at which time, the 90-minute event for all ages begins.
More than $700 will be awarded in four divisions. Each contestant must play a waltz, a tune of choice, and a hoe-down.
“The fiddler’s ability to produce a toe-tapping and dancing feeling is given strong consideration,” Vicki Rackliffe, event spokeswoman, stated in a news release. For more information on the fiddle contest, contact Rackliffe at 824-3575.
The 13th annual Great Duck Race starts at 5 p.m. at the Artists’ Covered Bridge on the Sunday River in Newry.
Bandstand entertainment will be provided during the day. Fireworks will end the day, beginning at 9 p.m.
Comments are no longer available on this story