by Karin Sanborn
Dreary weather played a marginal role in the celebration of the eighth annual Lupine Festival June 19-21 orchestrated by the Deer Isle-Stonington Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce wanted the aim of this year’s event shifted to include more activities across the Island. The weekend-long activities began with a farmers market on Friday morning and sailed through the weekend, offering schooner trips on Summertime, so visitors and residents alike could take in a view of the Island’s numerous stands of lupine while virtually every crafter and gallery shop had a chance to invite people to see their work.
Friday’s fund-raising antiques appraisal, with a format similar to the “Antiques Roadshow,” drew support, amounting to $855 being raised. For a donation, people brought items to the Island Community Center to have a professional appraiser take a look at them to give an estimated value of and history of each. (See story on page 9.)
The festival included a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society, local private garden tours and medicinal plant identification walks, kayak trips, quilt shows, movies at the Stonington Opera House and much more.
Using the clearly marked maps available, many toured the Island’s roads to view and photograph the lupine stands and visit the artist galleries, studios, shops and restaurants for a true Maine experience.
Weather did play a role in the Lupine by Air scenic flights, as conditions weren’t suitable. However, Sally Sinclair of Penobscot Island Air said they are planning to reschedule their services for another weekend event held on the Island.
Over 40 crafters displayed their work at the Deer Isle-Stonington High School Saturday. Dodging raindrops, people parked everywhere to visit the indoor craft fair and few left empty-handed. Many passed by the Little Red Snack Shack parked in front of the school, offering a variety of food and beverages.
One woman said she was amazed that the Island had so many talented artists. Being from Alaska, she said she was sure long winters must have something to do with the time available for creativity, but, still, she was very impressed with the quality of the work and knowledgeable crafters.
One could find food, sea glass jewelry, quilts, paintings, carvings, pottery, stained glass, granite and stone furnishings, candles, pet supplies, household decorations and kitchen accents, honey, soaps and lotions, homeopathic remedies, photographs and prints, handspun hats and mittens, and much more at very reasonable prices.
At the other end of the Island, the Island Community Center in Stonington was filled with laughing, screeches of joy, giggling, and children running everywhere having a blast. A huge spider-like bounce-house was filled with the laughter of children waiting for the Mad Scientist show. Other children and their parents assembled small kites with the help of Seamark Community Arts volunteers while waiting. Using patterns and materials, the children were able to create their own kites.
An announcement alerted the crowd that the Mad Scientist himself had arrived. The performance included participation from the children. The Mad Scientist explained that he didn’t do magic tricks. Parents said the show was informative and science-based. Children and adults of all ages enjoyed his interaction with the kids who were required to use their “noggins.” This activity was paid for by the Island Education Foundation.
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