As the day first began, it seemed as if Saturday, Aug. 27, would be just another hot and sunny summer day, pushing close to 90 degrees. But for the several hundred people who attended Gray’s new community-wide festival called End of Summer Fest – A Harvest Gathering, the day was full of smiles and laughter, free horse-drawn wagon rides, colorful painting, adorable “pig races,” meeting new people and seeing old acquaintances. Families with young children were encouraged to build fairy houses along the new walking trail at Pennell Park. There was even a dunk tank in the parking lot of the Gray town hall property, with kids and adults eager for the chance to cool off. All of this and more, was set to the backdrop of live acoustic blue grass, jazz, classical and pop music performed by four local bands: Living Highway, G-NG HS Brass Quintet, Collie Hill Ramblers, and Ton Def.

Under the shade provided by several mature trees on the town property, there was also a lot of activity and discussions taking place thanks to the 30 or so community organizations, school groups and local businesses that were there.

Highlights of the day included: Gray-New Gloucester Lion’s Club watermelon eating contest; the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum and the Gray Historical Society exhibits; G-NG Destination Imagination’s catapulting rubber ducks; G-NG High School Robotics’ Team robotic tricks; Gray Bike-Ped Committee’s Kids’ Fun Run; free blueberry pancakes, free bottles of water and other local business give-aways, free chair massages, the chance to “grab some free cash,” saying hello to two young alpacas and three baby goats; and also a brief visit by a bald eagle from the Maine Wildlife Park.

The event was made possible by the generous financial support of local sponsors: The Liberty Family Foundation, Enercon Technologies, Gray Community Economic Development Committee, Maine Solar Solutions and Patriot Dental, as well as local in-kind donations, and was hosted by the Town of Gray. Before the day was over, folks were already talking about how this new community festival could turn into something even bigger next year.

For more information about this year’s event and photos, check out “Gray End of Summer Fest” on Facebook or visit the town of Gray’s official Facebook page.

Lacy Antonson is a 2016 Gray’s End of Summer Fest event coordinator and volunteer.