Waterfront sculptures won’t arrive for festival

BANGOR – The four kinetic sculptures that are to adorn the entrance to the Bangor Waterfront will not arrive in Bangor in time for the beginning of the 66th National Folk Festival.

The four sculptures, which city officials had previously stated would be in place by the end of July, have yet to be shipped to Bangor from Cape Cod Fabrications, the company that is constructing the sculptures. Cape Cod Fabrications is located in North Falmouth, Mass.

“We have a problem that we just don’t have control over,” said City Engineer Jim Ring on Thursday. “The general contractor is doing everything possible. These are very unique structures, and they present unique fabrication challenges.”

Last week an employee at Cape Cod Fabrications said the structures would be delivered to Bangor last Tuesday. Since then the company has faced more delays in the construction of the structures, two of which are 20 feet tall, two of which are 35 feet tall. Ring said the two smaller sculptures may arrive late Friday night, which would force workers to hurry to put the sculptures into place before the end of the festival.

“We’re still holding out hope some will be up,” said Ring.

The sculptures are square columns that support a series of “crow’s nest” cables and wind-powered metal sails that rotate around the columns. The columns themselves will be lighted from within, with the words “Bangor Waterfront” cut out of the sides. Large granite and concrete blocks that will serve as the bases of the monuments are already in place at the intersection of Railroad Street and Main Street.