Though it’s still uncertain if Madawaska raised enough money to fund its first Summerfest, the Saturday concert drew a considerable crowd.
The event, which featured rising country artist Cody Lohden, brought hundreds to Birch Point Beach alongside Long Lake to enjoy live music, food and lakeside festivities.
It was the first time in several years that a larger artist has performed in the area, with the last instance being the Rock the Valley music series in the early 2000s.
Discussions about the event’s funding had some town officials and residents divided, as failing to raise the $90,000 price tag through donations could mean taxpayers will have to fund the difference. It is unclear how much was raised, but organizers are hopeful they will reach the funding goal.
The event saw a large number of gate sales, which the finance department is still processing.
“From the beginning, the goal was bigger than putting on a great event,” Kristen Henry, Madawaska economic and community development director, said. “It was about tourism, community pride and creating something that could have a positive impact beyond a single day.”
Henry said people bought extra tickets to help the festival hit its funding goal. One anonymous donor bought up to 10 tickets and then gave them out on Facebook, she said.
“It’s just another example of how Madawaska pulls together,” she said.
On Monday, Henry said the festival was exactly what she and town officials hoped it would be.
The event also featured Maine-based artist Anthony Todd, whose music blends elements of country, rock and rap.
“I try to write about my family and my morals, and the things I believe are right in life,” he said.
Todd, 29, is from Dixfield. He writes and records his music at an in-home studio. He funds his music career with money from his landscaping job.
And though he is proud to be a Maine resident, this is Todd’s first time as far north as Madawaska, which sits on the northern border.
“I went to Quebec in eighth grade, but other than that I’ve never stopped here and hung out,” he said. “It’s awesome. We got a cabin on Long Lake, and we’re gonna hang out over there and do some fishing after this.”
Todd’s song “Maine” recently went viral, and it is how Henry discovered him. From there, she reached out to see if he would play at Summerfest.
Live artists also included rapper The Real Young Swagg and Ryan Remalia with UnderWay.
Todd commended the crew involved with setting up the sound and stage for the event.
“The stage is incredible,” he said. “The sound crew is great. They obviously know what they’re doing. It’s awesome.”
Though the total amount of money raised is currently unclear, Henry said she and town officials know they will be able to give back to both Project Graduation and the Recreation Department, who helped significantly.
About 30 volunteers with the local Project Graduation stepped up to volunteer for the large event. Every hour that was volunteered will be added to a donation that the town gives to their cause, Henry said.
The volunteers, mostly parents, primarily helped at the gate and with parking. The local police, ambulance and fire departments also assisted.
“There’s been a lot surrounding this,” Henry said. “But at the end of the day we wanted to make sure that we were supporting our community in different ways.”
Summerfest also supported the local recreation department. Empty bottles at the beer garden will benefit the department, and members of the department also sold snacks and beverages to raise money for youth programs.
The town hopes to be able to host this festival for several years to come, said Recreation Director Rebecca Cyr. Some of the money raised by the rec department will go into new pieces for the beach playground and into saving up for either a new pool or splash pad for the town.
“I’m very excited to be able to provide new upcoming events for our community,” Cyr said. “That’s our goal – to be able to say we brought this new and exciting thing and to also turn some revenue that goes back into our town and gives us new and exciting things in the future.”
Overall, Henry said about 50 volunteers contributed. A nurse, for example, volunteered on the day of the event to ensure attendants were safe.
While navigating this event as a municipality has presented some challenges, everything fell into place on the day of the event, Henry said.
“For a first-year event, I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished and excited about what it showed is possible here,” she said.