Art and antique show and sale in front of Outdoor Heritage Museum for Oquossoc Day. Stephanie Dellavalle

OQUOSSOC — Wild Western Maine was the theme for this year’s Oquossoc Day with opening party held at Bald Mountain Camps on Friday evening and a full day of events on Saturday, August 17.

Locals gather for the Maine Attraction. Stephanie Dellavalle

The heavily attended event had a consistent stream of visitors milling between Oquossoc Cove’s water events, the car show in front of Oquossoc Marine, dog show behind Oquossoc Grocery, Tom Ball Band at the corner of Oquossoc Park, and the art & antique show and sale in front of the Outdoor Heritage Museum.

Oquossoc Day Dog Show coordinator Karen Seaman (center) chatting with Kathryn Franklin, after the show. Stephanie Dellavalle

Dog lover Karen Seaman coordinated this year’s dog show, with Calvin Seaman and Skyler Thompson as judges.

Oquossoc Day Dog Show judges Calvin Seaman and Skyler Thompson. Stephanie Dellavalle

Catherine Franklin of Virginia and Figgy Woo Stephanie Dellavalle

Each participant received dog biscuits, many of them homemade by Liz Thompson, and six ribbon prizes were given out to Pretty Girl: Carly, Handsome Boy: Grizzly Bear, Best Theme Girl: Nellie, Best Theme Boy: Grizzly- Dixfield, Judges Favorite Girl: Daisy and Judges Favorite Boy: Franklin.

Gracie Spring, Lily Rogers and Judges Favorite Girl, Daisy.

The dog show has consistently increased in size. This year there were 34 entrants whereas there used to be around 20.

This year’s car show also had many more vehicles than usual, with two full rows of trucks and cars ranging in age by almost one hundred years, and good examples from almost every decade.

Car show line up in front of Oquossoc Marine for Oquossoc Day. Stephanie Dellavalle

Many people stopped to get a close look at Walter Willie’s 1932 Ford.

Willie, a Mainer, said he goes to all the shows and loves cruisin’.

Walter Willie, no stranger to car shows Stephanie Dellavalle

“It’s a lot of fun to drive. You get a lot of response from other people, and it don’t matter the age,” said Willie.

Liam Moran gets his photo taken by dad as he sits behind the wheel of a 1932 Ford that was built for drag racing. Stephanie Dellavalle

As if on cue, young Liam Moran walked up with his dad admiring the vehicle and was happy to get permission to sit inside.

Brian Wargo coordinated the car show and decided the winner would be selected by the public.

Brian Wargo’s Dodge Challenger Stephanie Dellavalle

The trophy winner with the most votes was Mark Morton and his dark green 1949 Chevrolet 3100 pickup.

Car show line up in front of Oquossoc Marine for Oquossoc Day. Voter’s choice winner, first one on the left.

Wild Western Maine boat parade had three entrants. Each boat was highly decorated. Both on the outside, two with trailing floats, as well as inside, with costumed passengers.

Wild Western Maine was the theme for 2024 boat show parade. Seen here is Mary Frost’s 3rd place winning decorated boat. Stephanie Dellavalle

Two of the boats opted for classic western cowboy horses, hats, both good guys and bad, and one saloon costume, while a third boat chose to focus on the ‘Wild’ portion of the theme, with wild animals such as bears and moose.

1st place Wild Western Maine boat show winners Stephanie Dellavalle

A family and friend affair, both first and second prize went to two generations of the Morton family, and the third prize went to the crew of family and friends on Mary Frost’s boat.

Wild Western Maine 2024 2nd place Boat Parade show winners

Large crowds turned out for the Maine Attraction waterski show, the highlight of the event, only to be followed by the afternoon party at Portage Tap House with raffle drawing for chartered fishing trip, and a brief thank you speech by Linda Sikes, one of the original founders of Oquossoc Day, who also offered a little background about the origins of the event that will be coming up on its 20th anniversary next year.

Wild Western Maine 3rd place boat show winners Stephanie Dellavalle

The Maine Attraction post-show at Portage Tap House. Stephanie Dellavalle

Linda Sikes gives a brief history of the history of Oquossoc Day at Portage Tap House. Stephanie Dellavalle

Oquossoc Grocery staff break to watch the Maine Attraction. Stephanie Dellavalle

A combination of a slight wind and waterski boats passing made for lots of waves. Stephanie Dellavalle

Sitting up close makes for an exciting show.

The Maine Attraction perform at Oquossoc Day. Stephanie Dellavalle

Oquossoc Day committee L to R: Janet Koob Alexander, Eliza Chase Morton, Linda Sikes and Chris Wargo Stephanie Dellavalle

Maine Attraction perform in Oquossoc Cove on Oquossoc Day. Stephanie Dellavalle

Large crowds turn out to watch the Maine Attraction waterski show at Oquossoc Cove on Oquossoc Day. Stephanie Dellavalle