Vassalboro Days wraps up another successful year

Sending the ducks on their way. (photo by Samantha Lessard)

by Laura Jones

That’s a wrap on Vassalboro Days 2023, sponsored by the Vassalboro Business Association and Maine Savings Federal Credit Union. There was lots of fun, family, food and prizes.

The Mill, in Vassalboro, and Olde Mill Place Gift Shop hosted activities all weekend beginning with The Root Notes playing live music Friday night. A Craft and Vendor Sale Saturday and Sunday. The Masons sold their much anticipated chicken baskets. And, of course, the Double Dam Duck Derby. Ducks hit the water at 1:30 p.m., and the winners were announced soon thereafter. Cash prizes went to first place Nate Gray, second place Tami Stearns, and third place Paul Breton.

One of the cars featured at the 8th Annual Freddie’s Cruise In at the Town Office. (photo by Lee Pullen)

An aerial view of the classic cars on display at Vassalboro Days. (photo by Lee Pullen)

Freddie’s Service Center hosted the 8th Annual Freddie’s Cruise In at the Town Office, which registered over 165 cars. Lee Pullen described it as a “true labor of love”. Lee captured the essence of it beautifully. “Our dad, Freddie Pullen, passed in 2015 and this event was the brainchild of my brother Bill and his wife Roxanne, who now own Freddie’s Service Center, as a way to give back to the community that has been so very good to our family and as a kind of tribute to our father. Dad would have loved the event. The cars, sure; Vassalboro Days and all it represents, yes; but the people, the family, the stories? He would truly have been in his glory.”

The Vassalboro Grange hosted a pancake breakfast Saturday morning to a sell out crowd. Prepared right there in the Grange kitchen and featuring ingredients from local farms. The Milkhouse, Misty Brook Farm, Two Loons Farm, Raider’s Sugarhouse, and Mbingo Mountain Coffee provided all the fresh and fabulous ingredients.

The Vassal­boro Historical Society had an open house at both the Museum and the Taylor’s Blacksmith Shop Saturday and Sunday. Many came through to enjoy the displays and also to do some family research in the library of record. Saturday also kicked off a months long raffle with over $2,000 worth of prizes to win from over 20 local businesses. The historical society will be selling tickets anytime they are open, Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.. Until the drawing on October 8.

Other actives around town included the Vassalboro Public Library’s Book and Bake Sale. Lemieux’s Orchard had their annual apple picking, corn maze, hay rides, baked goods and donuts.

Grange pancake breakfast crew. (photo by Laura Jones)

Many crafters participated. (photo by Laura Jones)

Prizes from Vassalboro Historical Society’s months-long raffle. (photo by Laura Jones)

Antique equipment on display at Taylor Blacksmith. (photo by Laura Jones)

CORRECTION: The print version of this article referred to Lee Pullen as Lee Mullen. This has been corrected.