OTISFIELD — The annual Joe Holden Picnic will be held after an 11 a.m. service at the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church on the Rayville Road on Sunday, Aug. 28. The Sunday service is usually held at 10 a.m. but by holding the service later, it is thought that people can go from the service directly to the picnic which is held on church grounds.
The annual picnic was established in 1900 in memory of Joe Holden, the Otisfield astronomer who believed that the world was flat. As stipulated in Holden’s will, the interest from the $3 he left to the church was to be used to buy treats for the picnic. William Spurr, another former Otisfield resident, left additional funds to be used to “buy strawberry ice cream, popcorn and peanuts” for the picnic.
Both men’s stories have become part of the folk lore of Otsifield. Spurr is known for having written “A History of Otisfield, Maine” and Holden for his belief that the world was flat. His tombstone located in the cemetery across from the church reads “Prof. Joseph W. Holden, Born Otisfield Me August 24, 1816, died March 30 1900. Prof Holden, The Old Astronomer, Discovered that the earth was flat and stationary, and that the sun and moon do move.”
Bring a picnic lunch. There will be strawberry ice cream, popcorn and peanuts for all to enjoy. All are welcome.
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