STANDISH – This year’s Standish Summer Spectacular, the annual celebration of the town’s three distinct villages, will also honor American Legion Post 128 and the Women’s Auxiliary with the theme, “Celebrating Freedom.”

The fifth annual summer celebration, which will run from June 26-28, will feature live music, fireworks, a beach boogie, a pancake breakfast, and a parade. Events will take place in all three villages Steep Falls, Standish Corner and Sebago Lake Village.

“We want to honor and celebrate the spirit and the history of those three villages,” said Standish’s director of parks and recreation Linda Brooks, who sits on the event’s organizing committee. “Consequently, our events roam around the town.”

Last year’s theme, Brooks said, was designated “History in the Making,” in honor of the Standish Historical Society. The organizing committee chose to honor the Legion and the Auxiliary this year, because the two groups have provided substantial help with the Summer Spectacular and many town events in previous years.

Brooks said that the “Celebrating Freedom” theme will be incorporated into this year’s parade, which begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Memory Lane Music Hall on Blake Road, and ends at the Standish Congregational Church on Oak Hill Road.

A “traveling American flag,” composed of painted handprints, will move between events as well, Brooks said.

“We’re going to be encouraging children to put their handprints on this flag when they’re at the different events,” she said. “So we will have created an American flag by the end.”

Brooks said that the Legion has often recruited the patriotic Chandler’s Band to perform at the Summer Spectacular in the past. The band will perform again this year on Friday night at Kiwanis Beach. Other live performances include the Saco River Jazz Ensemble, which will perform at the Steep Falls Gazebo on Saturday afternoon.

American Legion Post 128 Adjutant Will Hamilton said the group was pleasantly surprised by the honor.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Hamilton said. “We weren’t expecting it. We’re very surprised, and we’re honored to be recognized in that way.”

Meredith Roubo, the president of the post’s Ladies Auxiliary, said the event’s theme, “Celebrating Freedom,” is a healthy reminder to the citizens of Standish.

“I think we all take it for granted way too often,” Roubo said.

---

Standish Summer Spectacular schedule of events

Thursday, June 26

6-8:30 p.m.: The Launch of the SSS (Standish Summer Spectacular) takes place at the Standish Boat Launch on Sebago Lake. Enjoy “A Taste of Maine” food sampling event. $5 for 10 sampling tickets. Entertainment by “The Generation Gap.”

Rain location: Edna Libby School.

Friday, June 27

6-10 p.m.: The Kiwanis Beach Boogie takes place at the Standish Kiwanis Club on Watchic Lake. Entertainment by Chandler’s Band, Flamin’ Raymond and Sizzlin’ Susan. Fireworks follow.

Rain location: George E. Jack School.

Saturday, June 28

7:30-9:30 p.m.: Standish Congregational Church on Oak Hill Road hosts a pancake breakfast. $5 for adults. $3 for children.

8 a.m.-noon: A Community Marketplace takes place in the courtyard at George E. Jack Elementary School on Route 35. Enjoy artisans, florists, plant/bake/yard sales, local business displays and more.

Rain location: George E. Jack gym.

10 a.m.: Spectacular Parade. Starts on Blake Road, heads west on Route 25 to Standish Congregational Church. Held rain or shine.

2 p.m.: Listen to the Saco River Jazz Ensemble at the Steep Falls Village Gazebo.

Rain location: Steep Falls Fire Barn on Boundary Road.

---

A float created by Girls Scout Troop 689 Standish/Steep Falls was at the center of attention on Route 25 in Standish during last year’s Standish Summer Spectacular Parade. The parade kicks off this year at 10 a.m.