Owen Corrigan is dressed as the Grinch for OakFest’s Christmas-themed boat parade on Messalonskee Lake in Oakland Sunday. Amy Calder/Morning Sentinel

OAKLAND — Katie and Chris Tredeau sat on the grassy lawn by Messalonskee Lake, waving to Santa Claus who was in a boat as it approached the dock off Old Belgrade Road.

“We love Christmas,” Chris Tredeau said.

He was wearing a green T-shirt with a gingerbread man on the front. His wife was wearing earrings in the shape of Santa Claus.

The couple, of Waterville, was watching the Christmas boat parade Sunday, the last day of events held as part of the three-day 8th annual OakFest celebration, which this year was based on the theme of Christmas in July. Retired Oakland Parks and Recreation Director Eric Seekins led the boat event.

“It’s great enthusiasm by some local boaters,” Katie Tredeau said. “The Grinch on the water skis was a highlight.”

The Grinch was Owen Corrigan, dressed in a navy blue sport coat peppered with snowmen. He donned bright green trousers, gloves and mask and a Santa Claus hat to top off the costume.

Before heading out from the dock in his parents’ boat, decorated with an inflatable Christmas tree and snowman, Corrigan said he also was the Grinch in Friday’s Christmas in July parade.

“We’re out here to have a good time,” said Corrigan, who works for the Oakland Public Works Department and is a member of the OakFest Committee.

Owen Corrigan as the Grinch for Oakfest’s Christmas-themed boat parade on Messalonskee Lake in Oakland Sunday. Corrigan also took to water skis in his Grinch costume. Amy Calder/Morning Sentinel

Corrigan’s boat was one of only two that were decorated for Christmas during the parade, which was the first boat parade held during OakFest. The other boat carried Santa and Mrs. Claus and a Christmas tree. Two additional boats were in the parade but were not decorated. The four motored out to Brown’s Island about 1/2 mile away, circled the island and returned to the boat landing to the sounds of cheers from spectators, some of whom were snapping photos.

OakFest co-chairs Kathy Paradis and Abby Marshall were among them. Paradis is Oakland’s deputy town clerk and Marshall is assistant finance clerk and assistant human resources clerk.

“Things went great this weekend,” Paradis said. “We had great weather and a great turnout Friday. Yesterday was amazing. Cass was shining down on us, as always.”

Paradis was talking about Cassidy Charette, an Oakland teen who died 10 years ago in a hayride crash in Mechanic Falls and for whom the ShineOnCass Foundation is named. Saturday’s OakFest event was named Shine on Oakland Day in her honor and the foundation gave out free books to every child who attended. Shine a Light on Literacy was the name of the benefit.

Charette’s mother, Monica Charette, who founded the ShineOnCass Foundation and is its executive director, said the foundation comes up with projects that benefit the community. One year, it collected food for the Oakland Food Pantry and another year it held a cereal drive, for instance.

“This year was a focus on literacy,” Charette said.

Saturday’s events behind Williams Elementary School included a classic car cruise, open-air market featuring crafters and other vendors, food trucks, children’s events and activities including a water slide and rock wall, as well as live music and movie night.

“OakFest is a three-day festival that just brings a lot of people to the community,” Charette, a member of the Oakfest Committee, said.

The Santa Claus boat is decorated for Christmas in Oakfest’s boat parade Sunday. Amy Calder/Morning Sentinel

The Tredeaus, who watched the boat parade Sunday, said they were looking forward to hearing Don Boudreau perform Elvis in Concert on the waterfront from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“We’re big fans of Don Boudreau,” Katie Tredeau said. “He just lights up the audience, and it is so much fun.”

OakFest is sponsored by the Town of Oakland, Oakland American Legion, Oakland Lions Club, Kingdom Life Church, FirstPark, Kennebec Valley Federal Credit Union, Hometown Auto, Bri by Designs, Valley Beverage, Oakland Waterfront Park Summer Concert Series and the ShineOnCass Foundation.