Singing Bridge farewell set for Sullivan Daze> Festival to feature barbecue, parade, games

SULLIVAN — Down East residents will bid farewell to their old iron “Singing Bridge” at Sullivan’s summer bash “Sullivan Daze” 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, with a fireworks display at Taunton Bay.

The seventh “Sullivan Daze” officially kicks off with a hearty breakfast served up at 7 a.m. by the North Sullivan United Methodist Church at the Sorrento Sullivan Recreational Center on U.S Route 1. A parade, lead by Grand Marshal Ellis Johnson, will form at 10 a.m. at the Quarry Road in North Sullivan. The parade, featuring floats, antique autos, members of Ellsworth’s American Legion 207 and others, will flow down the North Sullivan Road to Summer Memorial Park.

At the park, the Sullivan Volunteer Fire Association will put on a barbecue with hotdogs, hamburgers and other fare. The United Methodist Women’s group will also be serving up crab meat rolls and lemonade. The Cardinal Restaurant will also cook its popular Cajun shrimp wraps. A volleyball game; horseshoe pitching; pony rides provided by the Taunton Bay Riders’ 4-H Club and other activities will get under way. The Maine State Police K-9 Unit will be on hand. The Eleanor Widener Dixon Memorial Clinic will also give free blood pressure tests.

This year’s celebration will feature many vendors selling dried flowers, toll paintings on wood and many handmade items. “Singing Bridge” Christmas ornaments and refrigerator magnets will also be on sale. Music will be provided by the group Anonymous, Bobby Crofoot, Cindy Burnett and the Green Mountain Railway. Other musicians willing to perform for free are sought. To sign up call 422-3662.

A lobster raffle will also be held to benefit the Sullivan Fire Auxiliary. Sullivan lobsterman, Tim Briggs, lobster dealer Helen Gordon and the Sorrento Lobster and Fish Co. each donated 10 lobsters to the cause. Gift certificates from Paul Martin, Armando’s the Kitchen Table, Cindy’s Corner, Cardinal Restaurant, Schoodic Animal Hospital, Debbie’s Blueberry Ware, Taunton River Co. and other local businesses will also be raffled.