DEXTER, Maine — The seventh and last Wild West Weekend will be held from July 31 through Aug. 2.
The three days are jampacked with activities, from the pig scramble to a horse show.
The Dexter Regional Development Corp., sponsor of the annual event, has decided that this will be the last year for the Wild West Weekend because of a lack of funds and help.
“It’s always going to be in our hearts and we’re very proud of the work we have done to help small businesses and all the nonprofit organizations to fundraise,” chairwoman Judy Craig said Thursday of the event. The smiling faces of both young and old who have attended the events have been priceless, she added. Craig said the event not only has helped the local economy, it also has showcased the town.
Craig said the lineup of activities for this year’s event — titled “Unite Family and Community, Now and in the Future” — is impressive. Some changes have been made in the schedule, the most notable of which is a time change for the pig scramble. This year it will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at P&L Market.
Among the events scheduled are the Dragon Den’s annual Stick Pony Rodeo on Main Street and Country Charm’s Wheel Barrow Race. There will be a kiddy and horse parade, a hot dog eating contest, a chicken barbecue, a skillet toss and Wild West Olympics.
Country singers Debbie Myers and Ray Stafford will perform at 7 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday, respectively.
In addition, the North Country Riding Club will sponsor a horse show, a jamboree will be held at Wayside Park, there will be open houses at local museums, a rubber duck race will be sponsored by the Fire Department, and a chicken pie supper, scavenger hunt, bingo and silent auctions will be held.
The Dexter Regional Development Corp. will hold a costume contest with $250 in cash prizes before Friday night’s concert.
Craig said the annual Wild West Business Decorating Showdown again would be held with judging on Friday.
For information on the events, call Craig at 924-3067, e-mail judy@DexterMaine.com, or visit www.WildWestWeekend.com.
876-4579