Frank Anicetti’s grandfather opened the Kennebec Fruit Company on Main Street and Route 196 in downtown Lisbon Falls in 1914 to sell fruits and vegetables and in 1919 began selling his own special-recipe ice cream. Over the years, the Anicetti family collected Moxie memorabilia.

By the time Frank took over the store in the 1970s, it was the place to drink Moxie, purchase Moxie memorabilia, sample Moxie ice cream, and spend an hour or two talking with Anicetti about his private Moxie collection.

When author Frank Potter, from Newport News, Virginia, was researching his book, “Moxie Mystique” in the late 1970s, he naturally turned to Anicetti for facts, stories and legends.

After the book was published, Anicetti invited Potter to Lisbon Falls the second weekend in July for an autograph signing event at the store. “I invited 13 people by postcard, planned for 50, and was surprised when 500 people showed up,” said Anicetti.

Another signing was planned the following year as more Moxie fans became aware of the unique Moxie heritage found in the large yellow building still known as the Kennebec Fruit Company.

The 1984 signing included a fireman’s muster on Main Street. The first Moxie parade in 1985 drew hundreds of Moxie fans.

Now, the Moxie Festival usually includes a three day Pow Wow; Friday night fireworks; a Saturday parade, 5K race, and family fun carnival; and on Sunday, the Chief Worumbo Androscoggin River race.  Moxie was designated Maine’s official soft drink on May 20, 2005.

According to Lisbon Public safety officials, an estimated 40,000 people attend the three-day Moxie Festival.  The town of Lisbon has approximately 9,300 residents.

2014 MOXIE FESTIVAL: July 11-13

For more information, visit http://moxiefestival.com/.

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