RUMFORD — Scores of people visited booths, played games, ate carnival food and listened to music at the Fourth of July celebration Thursday afternoon, at least until the rains came.
The fireworks were postponed to Friday night at Hosmer Field.
Among the musicians playing was Ten Strings and a Goat Skin, a Celtic acoustic trio from Prince Edward Island.
The three young men, who played violin, guitar and bodhran, had just arrived from performances in Bethel and Carthage. They will continue on to Stratton and Bangor after Thursday.
Just before they started playing, Rumford magician and performer Scot Grassette juggled something many people thought would be impossible, particularly in 90-degree heat — three half-gallons of ice cream.
First, he juggled them while the vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice creams were in their cartons, then he peeled away the cardboard, managing to juggle them a few times before they melted into a soupy mess.
The crowd clapped and applauded, with some saying they were glad they weren’t trying to juggle the sticky desserts.
Apple crisp, sandwiches by Mr. and Mrs. Sausage, cotton candy, Italian ices and other goodies were available throughout the afternoon.
Lacrescha Howard of Rumford and Stetson spooned blue ices into the mouths of her 1- and 5-year-old nieces. Across the way, Mary Thacker promoted the Ellis River Riders of Andover.
The next show is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Anyone can come for free, and anyone with a horse can participate,” she said.
With her was member Erika Milan and her son, 20-month-old Jamison.
“He already rides,” Milan said. “He has a pony named Jazzy.”
On the other side of the track, the Democrats had a booth with congressional candidate Troy Jackson helping to staff it.
Members of the Praise Assembly of God were passing out free water, Popsicles and candy while signing up children for vacation Bible school, which takes place from July 21-25.
The Chisholm Ski Club sponsored a variety of children’s games.
Drawing much attention was a booth trying to raise enough money to keep Black Mountain of Maine operating.
At Rumford’s annual town meeting, residents turned down spending $50,000 as the community’s share of operating the popular resort, which triggered Maine Winter Sports and the Libra Foundation to withdraw its support.
Black Mountain board Chairman Roger Arsenault said the goal is to raise $150,000 to keep it open. He said about $60,000 has been raised so far. The board is also looking for another nonprofit to support the mountain.
Judy Collette, a Black Mountain supporter for many years, was selling T-shirts and other items to help raise funds for the mountain.
“Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to show how important a resource is,” she said.
Donations may be made at any Franklin Savings Bank location or online at crowdrise.com/bmom or gofundme.com/3eyo8c
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- Mary Martin and her daughter, Baylee, 7, show one of the T-shirts sold at the Rumford Fourth of July festivities as part of fundraising efforts to save Black Mountain.
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- Magician and juggler Scot Grassette juggles three uncartoned half-gallons of ice cream before they melted at Thursday’s Fourth of July festivities in Rumford.
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- Ten Strings and a Goat Skin, an acoustic Celtic trio from Prince Edward Island, performs at Thursday’s Fourth of July festivities in Rumford. Rowen and Caleb Gallant and Jesse Periard make up the trio.
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- Erika Milan and her son, 20-month-old Jamison, hang out under a canopy at Thursday’s Fourth of July festivities in Rumford.
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