LEWISTON – Everyone, it seemed, wanted to hit Mayor Larry Gilbert. Small children. City councilors.

Police.

So, as Gilbert sat in a lawn chair at a Kennedy Park fundraiser Saturday evening, a trash bag covering his tan slacks and button-down shirt, he decided to be a good sport.

And a bit antagonistic.

“I know you’re gonna miss, anyway!” he called to the line of people waiting to bean him with plates full of whipped cream, white foam from a recent shot already dripping into his ears. Then he stuck out his tongue at them.

Gilbert’s pie-in-the-face stand helped the fundraiser bring in just over $300 for new playground equipment at the park, $100 more than organizers had hoped.

“Why did I do this?” asked Councilor Denis Theriault, who smooshed whipped cream into Gilbert’s hair alongside fellow Councilor Nelson Peters and County Commissioner Elmer Berry. “It’s a fundraiser. That’s the only reason.” He paused and laughed. “Officially.”

About 200 people turned out for the three-hour event, which featured music from local bands, two clowns twisting balloons and Gilbert’s pie-in-the-face stand. Children ran through the park, waving balloon swords to the beat of the folk and rock music that boomed from the gazebo. Adults stretched out on park benches and blankets on the grass. Many people plunked money into donation cans.

“I think we should donate for the kids,” said Rita Breton, who lives nearby and gave a few dollars to the cause. “We need this park to keep them busy and out of mischief.”

Connie Labrie and her husband, Bud, gave a couple of dollars, too. They brought their 8-year-old great-granddaughter, Morgan Nelson, to hear the bands.

“We love music,” Connie Labrie said. “I remember when they used to have concerts here every Sunday. I spent a lot of time in the park when I was a kid.”

Music drew 8-year-old Abdi Ali to the park, too. His favorite part of the night was Denise Dill’s folk music. And her guitar. When she was done performing, he lugged it down the gazebo steps for her and spent the next 10 minutes twanging with his friends.

Like all of the musicians who played at the park Saturday, Dill donated her time.

“We have these great spaces downtown, especially this one, and people are always in them. But to get everyone together all at once is great,” she said.

Seven bands played during the fundraiser, but the loudest applause was reserved for city councilors, who took the stage to croon “The Moose Song,” a summer camp favorite about a moose who drank juice.

Still, for many, Gilbert’s $2 pie-in-the-face stand proved to be the highlight of the evening.

Lewiston Police Officer Thomas Murphy gave $20 – 10 times the requested donation – to ensure he’d get the first shot.

“That was the best 20 bucks I ever spent!” he exclaimed as Gilbert dripped with whipped cream. “Exhilarating.”

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