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“Thursdays on Sweden Street,” Caribou’s annual series of street fairs along its downtown roadway, returns to the Aroostook County city next week, featuring a fresh lineup of live bands, beer gardens and craft vendors.
The biweekly events, run by the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, are in their 13th summer of existence. They were first launched in 2013 to attract more foot traffic to the downtown, and have brought thousands of revelers to Sweden Street over the years.
“It’s a sense of community, a gathering place,” said Gary Marquis, superintendent of parks and recreation. “Ever since we’ve put them on, they’ve been a hit.”
About two dozen vendors have already registered for the series, Marquis said, and he expects at least 10 more to sign up before the kickoff night on June 11.
Subsequent Thursdays on Sweden are scheduled for June 25, July 9, July 23 and Aug. 13. Each event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A slate of local breweries and restaurants will host beer gardens for the series, including Sizzle & Slice Restaurant, The Par and Grill Restaurant and Northern Maine Brewing Company.
Different live bands or musicians will perform at each event, among them Adam Ouellette & Company on June 25, Tess Collins Music on July 23 and Jerry T & French Toast on Aug, 13.
For the second consecutive year, the lone August event is designated “Bike Night,” where a motorcycle ride organized by the United Bikers of Maine will finish on Sweden Street.
“That one was a good one,” Marquis said of the previous year’s Bike Night. “You know, when the weather is good, they’re all good.”
The parks and recreation department has also partnered with the Children’s Museum of Aroostook, which moved to Sweden Street last fall, to open its doors during the events for the younger crowd. Otherwise, this summer’s series will remain very similar to previous years, Marquis said.
“I just enjoy having everybody back downtown, listening to some good music, having some good food, the crafts, everything,” Marquis said. “I think everybody is looking forward to Thursdays on Sweden.”