LISBON – For the past two decades, people have traveled to Lisbon from across the country to join the celebration of Moxie.
This year looks to be no different, as festival coordinators prepare for between 20,000 to 30,000 people to attend the July 8-10 events.
“Moxie is a New England phenomenon, a lot of people are into the history and tradition of it,” said James Baumer, public relations director for the festival.
It kicks off Friday, July 8, with the Family Fun Carnival put on by the Lisbon Fire Department. The event will include live fire demonstrations, food, and prizes.
“It’s a nice introduction to the festival for people with children,” said Baumer. Other Friday night festivities will include a fish chowder dinner at the Masonic Hall, a museum open house and live music.
The main event of the weekend, the Moxie Festival parade, will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday. According to Baumer, it is not unusual to see eager spectators with lawn chairs claiming roadside sites along the parade route as early as 7 a.m.
This year’s theme, “Moxie and ME, the way life should be,” will be evident in the parade as the focus will be on the “unique things that Maine has to offer,” Baumer said.
Throughout the rest of the day, there will be “something for everyone,” a variety of games, contests and exhibitions. The day will end with a 7 p.m. performance at the Lisbon Teen Center by classic rock group Level Hed.
The weekend celebration will draw to a close with the popular Chief Worumbo’s Androscoggin Fun Race, which will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday morning. The 6-mile race will begin at the Durham Boat Launch, and will end at the Sabattus River Park on Route 196 in Lisbon.
Participants will have the option of competing in 10 different categories. All who wish to enter this “open race” have until 45 minutes before it begins to register.
go and do
What: 23rd Annual Moxie Festival
When: July 8-10
Where: Downtown Lisbon
Info: www.moxiefestival.com or 353-2728
Comments are no longer available on this story