A day to laugh and have fun

Danny Fichera, 20 months, of Bethel, was held by his grandfather, Dick York, of Rockport, MA.They were attending Bethel Summerfest on Bethel common. Rose Lincoln

BETHEL — Asked about the Summerfest parade, Celina Adams quipped, “It was about 15 minutes long. It was so sweet. The reason I come is that it’s an old-fashioned community event and we need more of that. We need reasons to have fun together. Less shouting and more laughing.”

Since 1958, the Town of Bethel has held a summer event. It was initially called the Bethel Bazaar. According to the Molly Ockett Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution of Bridgton Maine, “In 1970, the Bethel Area Summerfest name was changed in honor of the Indian woman whose generosity and self-reliance have become legendary. The festival has been called Molly Ockett Day for 50 years.”

This year, after two years of not having the event because of COVID, the third Saturday in July has returned as Bethel Summerfest. Many old favorites from previous years were celebrated again: Library Book Sale, Wildlife Encounters at Noon on the Common, vendors selling jewelry and much more. After lunch and the parade there was live music and the traditional fireworks behind The Bethel Inn. Beyond the Common were more events. “So many local organizations do something surrounding this event. We’re trying to be the backbone and involve as much of the community as possible,” said Chamber Executive Director Jessie Perkins.

Overheard from some in town was a firmly stated, “Happy Molly Ockett Day” and a harumph to Summerfest. Perkins, response is this: “over the years we have heard from many modern indigenous people that said this was not the best way to honor a Native American. We wanted to respect that but still have a summer event”. Thus, the name change. She added, “the naming of a Miss Molly Ockett was the biggest point of contention, because often you’re dressing up a non-native American in a native American costume” She continued, “we’re not the only ones dealing with these issues.”

Shopping at the book sale, Adams concurred saying, “there is a growing consciousness around these issues.” Katherine Scott, standing nearby said, “yes and we need to acknowledge it.”

This year’s changes led some to reminisce. Many people have memories of hospital bed races on Church Street, the lumberjack contest, and the Adirondack chair auction. Missing from last time was the frog jumping contest. Perkins said the family that organizes it, said, “the number of frogs at Songo (Pond) has diminished.” Also missing were the morning road races organized by the Outing Club. Two of their main volunteers, Sarah and Peter Southam are doing a race of their own. They headed across the country on their bikes on July 4.

While some lamented how short and quiet (no fire horns!) the parade was and others talked of the missing frogs, still others reveled in the opportunity to choose from five live music events. Throughout all the years and the many changes, the third Saturday of July has continued to be a day when the Bethel area comes together to celebrate community. A day to laugh and have fun.

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