Homecoming festival unites border towns

CALAIS – “Two countries, one heart” is the theme of 29th annual International Homecoming Festival, which officially begins tonight.

The city and its closest neighbor, St. Stephen, New Brunswick, each year put on the festival to demonstrate the ties that bind the two communities.

Everything begins at 6 tonight at Ferry Point with the official handshake. The mayors and town and city councilors as well as other public officials will meet and greet each other in preparation for the start of the weeklong event, which includes concerts, parades and other family events.

On Saturday, the Everett Meader Memorial Golf Tournament begins at 2 p.m. at the St. Croix Country Club, and on Sunday, there will be music with Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans at Calais High School. For those not in the mood for jazz, in St. Stephen there will be a concert in the town square featuring the choir and guests from Gateway Cathedral.

Daytime and evening events will occur during the week, with the popular Concert in the Park at 7 p.m. Thursday.

On Saturday, Aug. 10, festivities begin at 6 a.m. with the Calais Street Fair. At 10 a.m. the 29th annual International Homecoming Festival parade begins at Ames Parking Lot on North Street. The parade travels about five miles and ends at St. Stephen High School.

The Sunday Fun Day will be held again this year beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11. Again this year there will be daylong family-oriented activities that include a collection of musicians and musical groups that will perform throughout the day. Performers will include Melissa Cushing, Jimmy Barnes, Les Rios and the Underdogs and Windjammer.

The evening of Aug. 11 will be capped with fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

Multicolored schedules of the weeklong event are available at area stores.