MACHIAS, Maine — Homemade moose meat stew will be among the many specialty foods served during Margaretta Days Festival on June 13 at the University of Maine campus in Machias.
“People come from far and wide to have the moose meat stew,” said Susan Wright, who is preparing the dish. “It’s like steak. It’s really good stuff.”
Butcher Clayton Blake of Alexander, owner of Blake’s Slaughtering and Custom Cut Meats, donates the meat, which comes from unusual sources.
“Sometimes it’s stuff that’s taken from poachers and sometimes it’s roadkill,” said Blake, who confirmed this year’s 10- to 15-pound donation came from roadkill.
“We were hunting for roadkill. That’s the joke,” said Wright, who began cooking the meat Thursday at her Machias shop and mini cafe, Obadiah’s. She gives the meat a coating of flour and seasons it with salt and pepper.
“It takes me a day, maybe two, to cook the meat,” she said.
When the meat is done she will cook the potatoes, onions, celery and carrots. The recipe also includes fresh herbs and wine and beer.
“It’s very basic,” she said.
The stew will not be sold, but rather offered for a suggested donation.
“You can’t sell wild game in the state of Maine. It’s against the law,” Blake said.
He frequently processes both poached meat that has been confiscated by law enforcement and roadkill “whenever there’s an accident that they call me,” he said. “Most of it I give to the food pantry.”
Margaretta Days chairperson Carlene Holmes said she was excited about this year’s food offerings.
“The way to their heart is through their belly,” she said.
In addition to the stew, Washington County Manager Betsy Fitzgerald is donating her homemade meat pies. Cornbread, beans, assorted fruit pies, popcorn, gingerbread and hot dogs also are on the menu.
Although named Margaretta Days, the festival actually takes place only on Saturday. The day starts with an American Legion blueberry pancake breakfast from 7-9 a.m. at the American Legion hall on Court Street.
Holmes also is excited about a play to be presented by the Machias Bay Homeschoolers, tentatively scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
About 15 children from seven area families will participate in the play that tells the story of a Revolutionary War battle in Machias, which the festival celebrates, said parent Sarah Craighead Dedmon.
The play was written by parent Becky Baxter Bard, she said. The group also performed last year.
“We’re expanding the play this year to include one Passamaquoddy character and two more female parts,” Craighead Dedmon said.
“I think all the kids really appreciate it’s not just any old play. It’s a true story,” Baxter Bard said.
“To have a play is so much better than listening to people talk,” Holmes said. “I’m so happy they’re doing it.”
Holmes also said she is excited about the possibility of what she is calling a “town photo,” to be taken on the Bad Little Falls platform during a dedication ceremony renaming the downtown bridge over the Machias River after local Revolutionary War hero Jeremiah O’Brien.
“I would like to invite everyone to come get into the town photo,” she said, adding all those in attendance can join in even if they do not live in Machias.
The festival includes a parade, set to begin at 10 a.m. from Helen’s Restaurant to the UMaine campus. The parade will cross the bridge for the bridge naming ceremony and photo at about 10:30 a.m., Holmes said.
The U.S. Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble will play patriotic music at 11:30 a.m. and will give a concert at 2 p.m.
Additional Margaretta Days information can be found on Facebook or at margarettadays.com.