Veazie to celebrate 150th anniversary

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VEAZIE – One hundred and fifty years ago, what was known as North Bangor along the edge of the Penobscot River was purchased by Gen. Samuel Veazie and renamed Veazie. This weekend, town officials are hosting a four-day extravaganza with several events to celebrate the town’s birthday.

“We’re trying to put on a celebration of the community to try and bring back some of the community spirit Veazie is noted for, and celebrate our 150th birthday,” said Town Councilor Rod Hathaway. “Veazie is just this little two-mile strip people pass on their way to Orono or Old Town. This celebration will showcase how it came about, and what it stands for.”

The extravaganza starts today and runs through Sunday, July 13, and will include events for all ages. The festivities also will spotlight Veazie’s long history.

“Veazie was originally the seventh ward of the city of Bangor,” said Hathaway. “It was broken off because of high taxes at that time. A little twist to the story is that the Legislature required a townwide vote or referendum to take place to ensure the residents wanted the split.”

Hathaway said the Legislature thought General Veazie, a lumber baron who served in the War of 1812, was planning something unscrupulous. The vote was 136 to 2, in favor of the split.

With just 4 square miles of land or 2,560 acres, Veazie has a long been known for its citizenry and fellowship, Hathaway said, adding that the celebration would highlight these.

Tonight at 8 p.m., a local cast of actors will perform “Veazie Review,” first offered at the town’s centennial 50 years ago, at the school gymnasium. Tom Logan will direct the production, which includes characters from the town’s beginnings.

“That’s going to be our big event and we hope all the townfolk come out to see it,” said Hathaway. “[The performance] is going to span 150 years of time with song and dance.”

Coffee, tea and dessert, provided by a teacher and students from Eastern Maine Community College, will be served before the play in the cafeteria of the Veazie Community School. The performance itself will take place in the gymnasium. The cost for both is $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under.

On Friday, Veazie will open its doors for a townwide open house. Municipal buildings, local gardens and the new John Graham Senior Housing Complex are some of the places included in the tour.

Friday will end with a free street dance from 7-11 p.m. in the parking lot of the Veazie Community Center.

Saturday will kick off with a pancake breakfast, starting at 7 a.m. and running until 9 a.m., provided by the Veazie Congregational Church on the athletic field of the school.

At 11 a.m., the Veazie Senior Center Club is hosting beano at the athletic field of the school.

At noon Saturday, a children’s parade will start at the school proceeding through downtown and ending at the athletic field.

Saturday afternoon will be filled with old-fashioned games, a fireman’s muster and baked bean dinner, ending with a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. from the school’s athletic field.

On Sunday, parishioners of all faiths can gather for an outdoor service and a family picnic at 10:30 a.m. School officials will bury a time capsule at the school at 1 p.m.

“They’ve been working all year long on things to include in the capsule,” said Hathaway.

Plans are to unearth the time capsule in 50 years during the town’s 200th anniversary.

As part of the yearlong celebration, town officials will be working on a 20-minute video to document some of the town’s early history. People can preorder copies of the video, along with copies of a commemorative cookbook and a limited-edition town poster, at the town office.

Veazie is planning to make the celebration a yearly event, said Town Manager Bill Reed.

Most events will be held at the Veazie Community School. Events are as follows:

Thursday

7 p.m. – Dessert and coffee at the school cafe.

8 p.m. – Performance of “Veazie Review” at the school gym. Cost for dessert and play is $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under.

Friday

10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Open house at the Veazie Congregational Church, the municipal building and senior center.

1-4 p.m. – Garden tours. Registration is at the school, $5.

7-11 p.m. – Street dance at the Community Center parking lot, live music by Late Edition and the Gary Mitchell Band.

Saturday

7-9 a.m. – Pancake breakfast at the tent on the athletic field of the school. $4.

11 a.m.-noon – Beano at the tent on the athletic field, sponsored by the Veazie Senior Center Club.

Noon – A children’s parade starting at the school, proceeding through downtown and ending at the athletic field.

1-4 p.m. – Games including: Velcro wall, bungee run, bounce house, basketball and skeeball, for all ages on the athletic field of the school. Free to all kids.

4:45-6 p.m. – Baked bean supper hosted by the Veazie Congregational Church. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children.

9:15 p.m. – Fireworks shot from the athletic field.

Sunday

10:30 a.m. – All-faiths church service under the tent on the athletic field.

1 p.m. – Burial of the time capsule at the school.